Rural and Northern Community Response to Intimate Partner Violence CURA Meeting June 17, 2016

Research Questions What are the unique needs of victims of IPV living in rural and northern regions of the Prairie Provinces and NWT in Canada? What are the gaps [and barriers] that exist in meeting these needs? How do we create non-violent communities in these regions?

Year 2 Service Provider Interviews 32 interviews (33 participants) 29 Female 7 Aboriginal 14 telephone interviews 18 in-person interviews

Year 3/4 Northern Community Profile Two-in person focus groups Two telephone “focus groups” Participants (n=14) 12 female 6 Aboriginal

Year 3/4 Rural Community Profile Three focus groups Two individual interviews Participants (n=23) 22 female 3 Aboriginal

Total Interviews/Focus Groups N = 70 service providers 63 Female 16 Aboriginal 19 telephone interviews 51 in-person interviews Representation from across the province

Service Providers RCMP Education Victim Services Addictions Community Justice Friendship Centres Shelters Family Support Programs Women’s Resource Centres Counsellors/Therapists Child & Family Services Mental Health Nursing Paramedics Family Conciliation Healthy Child Manitoba Disability Services YWCA

What are the Needs of Victims of IPV? Safety Support Emotional Financial Housing Childcare Information Support Services Medical Services Advocacy Hope for the Future

What is Unique:Context Isolation/Remoteness Distance to services Transportation needs Poverty Lack of infrastructure Community politics Farming issues

Legacy of Colonization and Residential Schools Continued racism and discrimination Unemployment Poverty Housing conditions Addiction Hopelessness and despair Widespread unresolved grief

Perception of IPV Normalized (intergenerational) Minimized Denied Intertwined with patriarchy/Christianity Women not respected Women should obey Women should not speak out Women should keep family together

Community Politics Traditional values “Closed” communities Chief and Council/rural community leaders may determine access to resources and transportation

Transportation No transportation available to women (cars, taxis, local buses) Cuts in bus lines and bus schedules are barriers High costs for providing transportation Lack of funding for transportation costs for women to return home

Housing Housing not available or affordable Overcrowding Homelessness Lack of transition housing Nowhere to go once she leaves shelter – either go back or leave community

Lack of Confidentiality Everyone knows everyone No private places for meetings, counselling Open court; often in community hall Service providers are friends or family members

Lack of/Limitations of Services Lack of services or inconsistent services in rural/northern/remote areas. No shelters/safe houses or shelters not safe RCMP not in every community Services provided on scheduled basis Lack of addictions services for women Outsiders not trusted Lack of specialized services Rigid criteria for service Controlling systems Multiple system involvement with lack of coordination

Lack of/Limitations of Services Existing services overburdened Wait lists for service Provincial/federal funding battles Lack of services for children and youth Lack of programming for men Overall a reactive rather than proactive approach is used

Limitations/Constraints of Service Providers Not adequately trained Not healthy themselves Burnout Inconsistent/inappropriate responses to women High turnover New professionals lack experience

What Prevents Her From Coming Forward? Shame Pressure from him, family, community Fear of retaliation/repercussions She needs him (financial dependence, wood, water, children) Does not want to leave her community Previous negative experience – her needs have not been met Oppressed – no longer has the energy to react

Other Gaps/Barriers Health issues Language barriers Gangs Lack of communication Farms (animals, equipment, chores)

Summary: What are the Gaps and Barriers? Larger cultural norms and ideologies Resources are spread thin Multi-system involvement without recognition of the “whole” (there is a need for both IPV specific and non-specific services).

Creating Change Expand/Improve Resources Increased Collaboration Context: Address Social Challenges Education and Awareness Expand/Improve Resources Empower Women’s Independence Community Mobilization Involve Men Increased Collaboration

Creating Non-violent Communities IPV must be addressed in context Systemic/structural issues Eliminate hopelessness and despair

Creating Non-violent Communities Education Education must target all age groups, but must start with children Must be culturally appropriate Education for immigrants “In your face” public education campaigns Use multi-media Informal forums for education E.g. feasts, coffee – “get people talking”

Creating Non-violent Communities Invest more resources to expand and improve services Housing is a priority More services for youth, LGBTQ community Ensure services are culturally appropriate Increase collaboration “Think outside the box” Harmony project Provide “wrap around” services Involve businesses/employers

Creating Non-violent Communities Empower women to achieve hope and independence Employment preparation and training; childcare Change must occur at community level Community and community leaders/Elders need to take a stand

Creating Non-violent Communities Men must be part of the solution More intervention programs for men More support for “potential” offenders More men need to “pick up the gauntlet” and take a stand. E.g. Blue Bombers Campaigns

Action Plan Report for service providers Publications Presentations Meetings with stakeholders to influence policy and practice Work with our CURA team Keep going …

Building a Research Program: Two Decades of Tri-provincial Research 2001-05 – Evaluating the Justice and Community Response to Family Violence in the Prairie Provinces 2005-10 – The Healing Journey 2011-16 - Rural and Northern Community Response to Intimate Partner Violence 2015-20 – Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative for Vulnerable Populations

Understanding the Lived Realities of Women who experienced IPV A continuous collection of information on women’s experiences of IPV. In 2001 we examined how women engage with the Justice and social service systems In 2005 we followed 665 women over 4.5 years to document their health issues, their parenting, and their sources of help and support. 2011 the Rural and Northern Community Response to Intimate Partner Violence identified the specific needs and challenges of women and service providers living in rural and remote communities. 2015 We are beginning the Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative for Vulnerable Populations

Working Together – The Vision of RESOLVE Each study becomes a foundation for the following study Each study provides information to service providers, policy makers, and experiential women. Each study uses the information to improve programs, revise policies, and amend legislation. Each study fills in a piece of a complex puzzle – how do we assist women, change violence inducing environments, build safer homes and communities.