INFORMATION ON SESSIONS WIILL BE ADDED TO THIS PAGE AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE TO US FROM OUR SPEAKERS.
Session Descriptions
Monday, November 17
Morning
9:00-10:00 KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Religious Communities as Sources of Hope, not Communities of Collaboration in Situations of Domestic Violence
[Professor Dr. David Livingston]
This lecture addresses what religious traditions have to offer to the professionals who regularly work with Domestic violence.
One of the more difficult areas is the complications to the actual violation that occurs in the subtle and not so subtle ways in which religion minimizes and collaborates with perpetrators of domestic violence through many of its teachings and doctrines. At the same time, there are genuinely liberative strains within the religious symbols and stories.
It is this ambiguous tradition of collaboration and resistance that is important for all those working in the field of family violence to understand both in terms of the survivors and the perpetrators. The relationship between religious leaders and domestic violence workers is often strained at best since there has been a history of religious leaders subtlety and overtly condoning male privilege and patriarchy.
This lecture will demonstrate the core teachings of the Judeo Christian traditions as sources of resistance to patriarchy and support of healing and hope for survivors.
10:30-12:00 CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Session A
Wellbriety Movement
[Don Coyhis, Mohican Nation]
This session is designed to work with the grassroots to establish what the effects of historical trauma have had on our communities. We are in a time of prophecy fulfillment which states that we Native pole have entered into a time of healing.
Now is the time for us to bring back the culture and continue our healing. Using the four Laws of Change to guide the healing process, this session will how
to get the Wellbriety Movement started at the grass roots level.
Session B
Domestic Violence To and Among Immigrants and Refugees
[Mary Fiakpui]
This session is intended to shed some light on the type of domestic violence and the challenges that people from the immigrant and refugee population face. While domestic violence to and among this population is not different from that experienced by mainstream Canadians, the lack of language with which to express oneself, the lack of understanding of the many systems that one has to navigate through to get help and, the lack of the familiar extended family and community support that one had in the country of origin pose as barriers to getting out of abusive situations.
How can we make our systems more user friendly? How can we help those who are abused but have no voice walk to freedom?
Session C
Family Violence Project of Waterloo Region
[Pamela Mank & Staff Sergeant Adrian Darmon and Chief Matthew Torigian]
“Helping Together Through Co-location: The Family Violence Project of Waterloo Region Shares Its Experience”:
On January 1, 2006 Family Violence Project of Waterloo Region opened its doors, providing a consistent, comprehensive and holistic response to victims of family violence. Located at Catholic Family Counselling Centre of Waterloo Region, the Project collaborative currently boasts well over 130 professionals representing thirteen agencies/services dedicated to domestic violence intervention and prevention. This holistic, co-located response to domestic violence intervention and prevention represents a Canadian first.
Two of the Partners from the Family Violence Project share their experience of helping together through co-location.
Session D
Childhood Exposure to Violence and Implications for Early Brain Development
[Dr. Linda Chamberlain]
Session E
Linking Animal Cruelty and Family Violence
[Dr. Lisa Anne Zilney]
Session F
A Holistic Approach to Addressing Male Violence
[Professor Dr. David Livingston]
This lecture will address the possible ways in which communities can approach violence in the home through a multi-dimensional approach. This approach takes seriously the radical violation which family violence creates for survivors while at the same time refusing to demonize the perpetrators.
It also challenges communities to couple the need to protect survivors through shelters and legal intervention with a multi-dimensional approach to holding men accountable while also holding out the hope of genuine healing and rehabilitation of the perpetrators.
Session G
Family Violence in the Immigrant Community
[Professor Vijay Agnew]
Academics, activists, service providers and women’s groups have together advanced our understanding of what constitutes violence, how we as a ‘society’ conceptualize it, and the responsibility of governments, communities, and groups in combating it. Historically, silence about violence within the family and inhibitions about invading privacy only helped to perpetuate the horrendous abuse of some women and facilitated its denial by all others—family, friends, community, or society in general. At the present time, we know that violence against women in families is widespread across class, ethnicity, ability, and race.
It is hard to document the exact prevalence of violence in immigrant families for much depends on how violence, immigrant, and even families are defined. Nevertheless, we know that abused women sometimes feel disempowered because of their immigrant status, stereotypes of the culture to which they belong, lack of access to information, limited availability of culturally sensitive social services in their city or region, and social alienation. The racial and class identity of some immigrant women and the gaps in our understanding the structural barriers that they confront add to their disempowerment. Immigrant women may be reluctant to disclose violence for fear of stigmatizing themselves, larger family, and the community.
Confronted by these many difficulties we need to continue with our work of creating greater diversity in social service programming and remain committed to being inclusive of different voices in organizations and in government personnel and agencies.
Afternoon
1:15-2:15 KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Family Violence in the Immigrant Community
[Professor Vijay Agnew]
Academics, activists, service providers and women’s groups have together advanced our understanding of what constitutes violence, how we as a ‘society’ conceptualize it, and the responsibility of governments, communities, and groups in combating it. Historically, silence about violence within the family and inhibitions about invading privacy only helped to perpetuate the horrendous abuse of some women and facilitated its denial by all others—family, friends, community, or society in general. At the present time, we know that violence against women in families is widespread across class, ethnicity, ability, and race.
It is hard to document the exact prevalence of violence in immigrant families for much depends on how violence, immigrant, and even families are defined. Nevertheless, we know that abused women sometimes feel disempowered because of their immigrant status, stereotypes of the culture to which they belong, lack of access to information, limited availability of culturally sensitive social services in their city or region, and social alienation. The racial and class identity of some immigrant women and the gaps in our understanding the structural barriers that they confront add to their disempowerment. Immigrant women may be reluctant to disclose violence for fear of stigmatizing themselves, larger family, and the community.
Confronted by these many difficulties we need to continue with our work of creating greater diversity in social service programming and remain committed to being inclusive of different voices in organizations and in government personnel and agencies.
2:45-4:15 CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Session H
Wellbriety Movement
[Don Coyhis, Mohican Nation]
This session is designed to work with the grassroots to establish what the effects of historical trauma have had on our communities. We are in a time of prophecy fulfillment which states that we Native pole have entered into a time of healing.
Now is the time for us to bring back the culture and continue our healing. Using the four Laws of Change to guide the healing process, this session will how
to get the Wellbriety Movement started at the grass roots level.
Session I
Family Violence Project of Waterloo Region
[Pamela Mank & Staff Sergeant Adrian Darmon and Chief Matthew Torigian]
“Helping Together Through Co-location: The Family Violence Project of Waterloo Region Shares Its Experience”:
On January 1, 2006 Family Violence Project of Waterloo Region opened its doors, providing a consistent, comprehensive and holistic response to victims of family violence. Located at Catholic Family Counselling Centre of Waterloo Region, the Project collaborative currently boasts well over 130 professionals representing thirteen agencies/services dedicated to domestic violence intervention and prevention. This holistic, co-located response to domestic violence intervention and prevention represents a Canadian first.
Two of the Partners from the Family Violence Project share their experience of helping together through co-location.
Session J
Childhood Exposure to Violence and Implications for Early Brain Development
[Dr. Linda Chamberlain]
Session K
Linking Animal Cruelty and Family Violence
[Dr. Lisa Anne Zilney]
Session L
Building Bridges to End Abuse: Faith Link
[Dr. Irene Sevcik]
Religious/spiritual/ethno-cultural leaders and secularly-based service providers working together to address family violence
When violence and abuse occurs within families it impacts us all. Many communities have developed an array of services to respond to those directly impacted. This response is strengthened when secularly-based service providers are joined by leaders of religious/spiritual and ethno-cultural groups in a co-ordinated effort to assist victims of violence and hold accountable those who have acted abusively with their homes.
The FaithLink program was developed to facilitate this co-ordinated effort within the Calgary, Alberta community. It has a track record of facilitating greater awareness of family violence among religious/spiritual and ethno-cultural leaders; developing educational materials; raising awareness among service providers of the importance of the spiritual for those individuals who are members of religious/spiritual communities; sponsoring conferences aimed at enhancing mutual understanding; and conducting relevant research.
This presentation will speak to: why it is important for leaders of diverse communities and service providers to work closely together in responding to domestic abuse; how the FaithLink program has facilitated greater understanding and collaboration; and the lessons learned along the way. The presentation will be of interest to service providers, religious/spiritual leaders and members of ethno-cultural groups who are interested in broadening their community’s coordinated response to domestic violence.
Session M
Family Violence in the Immigrant Community
[Professor Vijay Agnew]
Academics, activists, service providers and women’s groups have together advanced our understanding of what constitutes violence, how we as a ‘society’ conceptualize it, and the responsibility of governments, communities, and groups in combating it. Historically, silence about violence within the family and inhibitions about invading privacy only helped to perpetuate the horrendous abuse of some women and facilitated its denial by all others—family, friends, community, or society in general. At the present time, we know that violence against women in families is widespread across class, ethnicity, ability, and race.
It is hard to document the exact prevalence of violence in immigrant families for much depends on how violence, immigrant, and even families are defined. Nevertheless, we know that abused women sometimes feel disempowered because of their immigrant status, stereotypes of the culture to which they belong, lack of access to information, limited availability of culturally sensitive social services in their city or region, and social alienation. The racial and class identity of some immigrant women and the gaps in our understanding the structural barriers that they confront add to their disempowerment. Immigrant women may be reluctant to disclose violence for fear of stigmatizing themselves, larger family, and the community.
Confronted by these many difficulties we need to continue with our work of creating greater diversity in social service programming and remain committed to being inclusive of different voices in organizations and in government personnel and agencies.
Session N
Healing, Redeeming & Recovering From Violence/First Nations Perspective
[Sister Eva Solomon]
Tuesday, November 18
Morning
9:00-10:00 KEYNOTE ADDRESS
The Alberta Relationship Threat Assessment and Management Initiative (ARTAMI)
[Val Campbell, Crown Prosecutor]
There is a growing recognition that many family violence-related deaths are preventable. ARTAMI is an innovative, proactive, multi-disciplinary approach to prevent future tragedies associated with relationship violence and stalking. The multi-disciplinary ARTAMI team that includes expertise from police, Crown, family law, and child protection services, positions Alberta at the forefront of threat assessment in family violence and stalking situations in Canada. In addition to providing professional threat assessments and case management strategies, ARTAMI provides investigative support and training provincially to criminal justice agencies including: law enforcement, probation and parole, victim advocates, educators, and the private sector.
10:30-12:00 CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Session A
Elder Abuse
[Dr. George McClane]
Emergency Physician & clinical forensics specialist, Dr. George McClane, will present a comprehensive PowerPoint slide presentation that covers the clinical elements of Elder Abuse & Neglect. The presentation will encompass subtle to end-stage medical presentations of abused elder patients, and discuss the less-obvious clinical manifestations & outcomes of elders who are the recipients of financial & fiduciary abuse, as well. Included will be a discussion of state-of-the-art centers devoted to clinical elder abuse, including the University of California, Irvine SeniorHealth Center at UCI Medical Center, in Orange County
Session B
Bullying
[Katie Kitschke, Marie Mansfield, Ernie Pudwill]
Session C
Threat Assessment and Management of Domestic Violence and Stalking Cases: Homicide Prevention
[Val Campbell, Crown Prosecutor]
Intimate partner violence continues to be a serious problem in Canada, accounting for at least one quarter of all violent crimes reported to police. As a result of numerous high-profile intimate partner homicides, law enforcement officers are under increased pressure to conduct systematic assessments to determine whether people who are suspected of intimate partner violence pose a high risk of serious or life-threatening violence. Alberta’s relationship threat assessment unit (ARTAMI) will discuss how they are responding to this demand with specific case examples.
Session D
Domestic Violence To and Among Immigrants and Refugees
[Mary Fiakpui]
This session is intended to shed some light on the type of domestic violence and the challenges that people from the immigrant and refugee population face. While domestic violence to and among this population is not different from that experienced by mainstream Canadians, the lack of language with which to express oneself, the lack of understanding of the many systems that one has to navigate through to get help and, the lack of the familiar extended family and community support that one had in the country of origin pose as barriers to getting out of abusive situations.
How can we make our systems more user friendly? How can we help those who are abused but have no voice walk to freedom?
Session E
On Scene Investigation and Prosecutions of the DV Case
[Mark Wynn, Retired Lieutenant Nashville Police]
Session F
Panel Discussion; Faith Communities Engaging Family Violence
[Conference Speakers]
Session G
The new ‘Edmonton Domestic Violence Centre’ Initiative
[Edmonton Domestic Violence Centre Initiative]
Afternoon
1:15-2:15 KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Injuries Caused by Strangulation
[Dr. George McClane]
Strangulation has only been identified in recent years as one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence. Unconsciousness may occur within seconds and death within minutes. It is known that victims may have no visible injuries whatsoever yet because of underlying brain damage by a lack of oxygen from being strangled, victims may have many serious internal injuries or die days or several weeks later. Strangulation is often indicative of a high level of domestic violence in a relationship.
The multi-media presentation given by emergency physician & clinical forensics specialist, Dr. George McClane, will cover the following areas:
1. The findings from a study of 300 misdemeanor attempted strangulation cases
2. The medical aspects of strangulation.
3. Forensic evaluation of strangulation case for purposes of criminal court cases.
4. Practical tips for all professionals handling strangulation cases.
The goals of the presentation are to:
1. Increase the awareness of the lethality of attempted strangulation
2. Increase the identification of the subtle signs and symptoms of a strangulation victim
3. Improve the documentation of forensic evidence for attempted strangulation cases
4. Develop local medical experts to use in trial
2:45-3:45 KEYNOTE ADDRESS
[Mark Wynn, Retired Lieutenant Nashville Police]