Building a Bigger Wave to end violence against

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

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?

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

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!)

Snapshot of VAWCCs in Ontario

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. ”

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

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

Top VAWCC Core Activities 1. 2. 3. 4. 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

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

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

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

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. ”

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. ”

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

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, goaloriented and inclusive committee.

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”

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 • • •

Interest in Joint VAWCC Projects? 1. 2. 2. 3. 4. 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%)

BBW Priorities for Future Action 1. 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

BBW Priorities for Future Action 3. Increase capacity of VAWCCs to improve community collaboration and prevent violence. 4. Implement recommendations from the Provincial Round Table on VAW 5. Work with Aboriginal partners to support the implementation of recommendation from the Truth and Reconciliation report.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!