1. 2015 VAWCC Survey Building a Bigger Wave
to end violence against women and children
2015 VAWCC Survey

2. Checking in with VAWCCS in Ontario
First VAWCC ‘Check In’ Survey was 2011 (before there was a Network!)
2015 Survey provides a ‘Snapshot’ of VAWCCs in the province:
What has changed?
What has stayed the same?
What are the priorities for VAWCCs?

3. Goals of the 2015 Survey Generate discussion at VAWCC tables
Create a picture of VAWCC work across the province
Gather information on successes, challenges and priorities looking forward

4. Survey Participants 27 responses 25 of 48 VAWCCs responded
Responses from all 9 geographic regions in Ontario
1 Francophone response (with thanks to Elisabeth Brito for translation of the survey!)

5. Snapshot of VAWCCs in Ontario

6. Some changes in VAWCC mandates
Fewer VAWCCs focus only on DV than in 2011
Increase in # of VAWCCs that include all forms of violence in their work
Some VAWCCs changed to include both SV and DV since the last BBW Forum. Some new SV committees.
“We really have committed to including sexual violence
in our scope.”

7. Who does the work on VAWCCs?
75% of committees reported that work was done by a ‘core group’ of members. (50% reported this in 2011)
95% of respondents said that Shelter (VAW) was an ‘active member’.
Active members on VAWCCs are usually from the VAW sector and Police Services

8. What sectors are often missing at the table?
Health: Hospital based health services (mental health, addiction), Family Health Teams, Physicians
Education (primary, secondary, post secondary)
Developmental Services
Senior’s Services
Criminal and Family Lawyers, Youth Justice

9. Top VAWCC Core Activities
DV Public Education & Awareness
Conferences and Workshops
Promotion projects on violence & abuse issues
Sexual violence public ed & awareness
Protocol development & implementation
5. Training on DV Issues
DV Public Ed and Awareness ranked second in 2011
Training on DV issues ranked first in 2011
No ranking for SV Public Ed & Awareness in 2011
Protocol development and implementation was fourth in 2011 as well.

10. Core Activities least likely to happen
Research on interpersonal violence issues
Program development
Community report cards
Elder Abuse training and education

11. There are many exciting projects!
The Hairspray Project
French Language Services/VAW Agreement
We Want No More project
Monthly VAWCC case presentations
Diversity Workshops for social service agencies
Into the Open: Community Round Table on SV Prevention
Brantford Committee doing the Hairspray Project and Diversity Workshops.
French Language/VAW Referral Agreement – Peel
Into the Open – Grey Bruce

12. How Effective is VAWCC Work?
74% rate their meetings as energetic, positive and focused
89% said diverse opinions are discussed in a respectful and positive ways
89% reported that decisions are made after full discussion and support of members present
89% report their VAWCC accomplishes its annual goals and action items

13. VAWCC noted struggles with:
All sectors regularly attending meetings and sharing committee work
Indigenous services participating as members (54%)
Survivors of violence having an active role and voice as committee members (44%)
Developing strategic plans and not having the capacity or people power to carry them out.
“Some sectors are under-resourced and cannot participate fully as they are busy providing services.”
Note that First Nations and Aboriginal services often cannot come because of other commitments, lack of resources.
Note that barriers are overcome – for example one VAWCC reported that there is now a strong Francophone presence and participation by the funder
We tried to create an online space for survivors to post their artistic/creative expressions….It was never really used. So there is a tension between reaching out and creating things that people indicated would be beneficial and it not really working.

14. Doing the Work
2/3 of respondents said VAWCC work is done by a small group of committed members
2/3 of respondents said the VAW provides committee leadership for the most part
“Making more work for our membership was not the right choice. Instead we support them with more skills and tools to do their jobs.”

15. Changes since 2011
66% report they are more connected to other VAWCCs in the province
52% reported increased membership
41% reported their committee is more effective and purposeful
41% reported their committee has a higher profile in the community
Although the membership has increased, the work is still largely done by the same core members (Comment)

16. Greatest Successes over the past 4 Years!
Freedom Sisters survivor group
Effective engagement, intervention and support for men
Meeting with the JP to talk about Gladue
Moving from a struggling, scattered and stressful committee to a functioning, goal-oriented and inclusive committee.

17. Greatest Successes over the past 4 Years!
Annual training workshops for members, over 100 participants
Working collaboratively – less silo-ed
Addition of 3 working sub-committees (education, marketing, research)
Routine Universal Screening implemented
A Study: “A reality that cannot be ignored: Regional profile of VAW in Prescott-Russell”

18. Greatest Challenges Attendance at meetings – everyone is too busy .
Keeping members engaged and motivated
Share the work load
Working collaboratively with the justice system
Changes to the PAR program
Dealing with the impact of loss of funding of key committee organizations
More with less does not work for community collaboration

19. Interest in Joint VAWCC Projects?
Sexual Violence Prevention Initiatives (100%)
Raising/Supporting Survivor Voices (96%)
Make it Our Business DV Workplace Training (96%)
Review of Mandatory Charging Policy (94%)
No Wrong Door (92%)
The percentages are responses ‘highly interested’ and ‘somewhat interested’
Projects with ranked only with ‘highly interested’ look a bit different: 1. Sexual Violence Prevention 2. Men’s Action Plan to end violence against women (which was ranked overall 5th in the combined ranking), 3.No Wrong Door.

20. BBW Priorities for Future Action
Support implementation of the Sexual Violence Action Plan
Advocate for a comprehensive VAW strategy that reduces funding silos and supports community and government collaboration
2. Use BBW Network to support communication, information sharing and capacity building for VAWCCs and allies

21. BBW Priorities for Future Action
Increase capacity of VAWCCs to improve community collaboration and prevent violence.
Implement recommendations from the Provincial Round Table on VAW
Work with Aboriginal partners to support the implementation of recommendation from the Truth and Reconciliation report.

22. How can BBW best support members and continue to grow?
Newsletters, sharing information, conferences
Advocacy with government and funders and supporting partnership between government and community
Conduct a needs assessment to identify each VAWCCs goals, then create connections between communities and ways to share.

23. How can BBW best support members and continue to grow?
Distribute bilingual information
Personal outreach to VAWCCs who are not involved to date
By doing what you are doing – great work!

24. Other Comments?
The newsletter would be more accessible if it was shorter and monthly or bi-monthly.
BBW is important for our committee work – it helps us feel connected in the work to end violence.

25. Other Comments?
Fantastic to have the opportunity for members to attend the conference. It’s very valuable to learn from other communities and work together collectively! Have a great time!

26. Building a Bigger Wave Ontario Network
VAWCC Survey 2015
Check In and Future Planning
Thank you to all of the Survey Participants for your time, insight and wise words!