4. Learning Objectives of Module Three:
Community agency participants will
learn practical knowledge to support
women who experience gender based
intimate partner violence to reduce
barriers to accessing services
5. This information is for YOU if you work
in any of the following workplaces:
Government Agencies
Healthcare or Medical Services
Front line Social Services
Charities & non-profits
Church-based Community Services
Concerned citizens & volunteers
ANY business or organization that provides
services to women
6. HOW CAN YOU
HELP WOMEN WHO
COME TO YOUR
AGENCY OR
ORGANIZATION
AND WOMEN
IN YOUR COMMUNITY
7. REDUCING BARRIERS TO SERVICE
Women who have experienced gender based
intimate partner violence (IPV) or who may still
be in situations of abuse need to feel able to
access ALL community, health, government,
and social services
We as managers, front line staff, and other
workers need to collaboratively reduce barriers
for these women by taking on the TASK of
creating inclusive, informed services for
everyone
8. T A S K
T a k e
A c t i o n
S u p p o r t
K n o w l e d g e
9. Take Action
Encourage a
Culture of Compassion
In your place of work
This means that everyone who
walks in the door is treated
with respect
• Listened to
• Given our attention
• Made to feel welcome
10. A Culture of Compassion Means
• Respecting that everyone has her or his own
unique story, needs, experiences, and
perceptions.
• Avoid showing prejudice towards people
based upon their appearance or their current
emotional state
• Providing a welcoming greeting that includes
being attentive and making gentle eye
contact so each person feels acknowledged
11. Check Your Assumptions
We don’t know another person’s
story by the way that person looks or
behaves. Intimate Partner Violence
occurs in all class, race, and
social groups
12. Outward Behaviours can be
Deceiving: Some Examples
What we might perceive as anger could be fear
What we might perceive as a woman
influenced by substance use could be a woman
in emotional or physical pain
What might appear to be “spaced out”
behavior could be dissociation stemming from
trauma or PTSD
13. Staying Mindful about
the Impacts of Abuse
From our learning we know that some women
who have endured IPV can be left with a
shattered self image and can feel unheard:
Listening attentively, making gentle eye
contact, and being present may go a long way
You could be the person in her day who helps
her to feel heard and respected
14. SUPPORT KNOWLEGE
Encourage your staff and coworkers to increase
their knowledge and awareness of gender
based violence against women by:
Taking this Online Course
Learning about Local Resources
Talking About it to Reduce Stigma
16. What Can I Do?
How Can I Help?
Your RESPONSE will depend on
many factors:
What is your agency mandate?
What is your position?
What are your organization’s policies?
What are you trained to provide?
17. Of Special Note:
Child Abuse Must Be Reported
If you should gain information that leads you to believe a child may be
experiencing abuse or neglect, Call the Helpline for Children at
310-1234
This is a toll free number. It is a local telephone number
anywhere in the province.
We all have a legal Duty to report child abuse to the
Ministry of Children and Family Development
18. Safety
Most situations you may encounter will involve
listening, being attentive, and giving information
Always ensure that you, your coworkers, and
anyone present are safe from any physical harm
19. YOUR
RESPONSE
Will Depend Upon These Three Things
The Situation
Your Skills & Training
Your Relationship
20. How Will I Know if a Woman
has Experienced IPV?
You Probably Won’t Know
If she wants you to know it is her choice to tell you
21. Should I
Ask Her?
If it is safe to do so. If your role as a healthcare or
social service worker enables you to have a
confidential space to talk with her then yes, you
should probably ask the question:
Are you experiencing abuse and would you like
information about local resources that can help?
22. What if she says no? What if
the question embarrasses her?
What if she gets angry?
She may well say no. Maybe no means no. Or
maybe she knows that now isn’t the time for her
to take action.
It has been our experience that, yes, sometimes
the question can be embarrassing, but most
women will understand that you mean well and
care about their welfare.
At least she will know someone cares.
23. Should I
Offer to Help?
It is her decision whether or not she wants you to
help, what kind of help she needs, and if she
accepts your help
She knows her own situation better than anyone
24. If She Asks For Help
You need to be clear on how you can help
What help can you realistically provide?
The best help may be referring her
to specialized women’s and
antiviolence services
25. Why do Some Women Seem to
Choose to Stay?
Please remember that no one wants to live with
abuse or violence. Some women fear reprisal
from their abusers and therefore may not leave,
accept help, or report abuse to the police
Most women who do report have already
experienced multiple incidents of abuse
26. ASSESS THE SITUATION
Listen to the Woman!
This will guide your actions
If SHE says she needs help ask HER what SHE needs
27. THE SITUATION
Is she in imminent danger?
Does she require
emotional support or
counselling? Does she
want information about
local resources?
28. THE SITUATION
Immediate danger
The perpetrator is there, making threats,
or displaying violent behavior
IMMEDIATELY
CALL the POLICE
911
29. THE SITUATION
Immediate danger
She Tells You She is in Danger, or she is Being
Stalked, and she is Afraid for Her Safety
ASK IF SHE NEEDS YOU TO
CALL the POLICE
911
30. If She Asks For Help
And does not seem to be in imminent danger
Ensure that you are mindful of the situation. Do
not ask questions about abuse in front of a possible
abuser! Do not leave phone or text messages
about abuse. This could put her in danger.
31. Offer to let her use the phone,
provide numbers such as the local
transition society or victim services
Give her some privacy if possible
OR ask if she wants you to stay with
her while she phones
KNOW LOCAL RESOURCE PHONE
NUMBERS
32. Local Campbell River Resources
The Ann Elmore House 24 hour crisis
line for women 250-286-3666
(Toll free outside of Campbell River 1-800-667-2188)
FOR MORE LOCAL RESOURCES SEE PRINTABLE
“RESOURCE SHEET” ON THIS WEBPAGE
33. Province Wide
In BC Call VictimLink
VictimLink is a 24-hour, toll free number
(1-800-563-0808) that you can call day or night
to connect with appropriate local resources
If a woman is in immediate danger
call your local RCMP detachment or 911
34. Have a list of local services
available to give out
• Download our Crisis Services for
Women Resource Card
• Have other pamphlets available
35. Boundaries:
How Much Should You Help?
This will depend on how much and what help she
wants, the nature of your job or organization, your
own skills and training, the relationship you may
have with the woman as a service user, your
organizational policy, lots of things
(get the picture?)
It can be complicated!
36. What is Your Relationship with her as a Service User?
Some Possible Scenarios of Support
Are you front office staff at a government service
office? Reception staff at a medical office?
Generally you would have formal interactions with
clients or consumers. You may be familiar but not close.
You can help by being welcoming and attentive.
This in itself can go a long way!
You may offer for her to use the phone, or give her
phone numbers for women’s or victim service resources
37. What is Your Relationship with her as a Service User?
Some Possible Scenarios of Support
Are you a mental health worker or a counsellor?
Generally you would have a closer relationship and trust
built up between you and the client.
Therefore you may offer to listen to her story. You may
explore some information about IPV with her via
pamphlets or the internet. You might even offer to go
with her to access victim service or women’s resources.
38. Support Knowledge!
KNOW THE RESOURCES:
Good Internet Sites
(More on this Website under Resources)
VictimLink
http://www.victimlinkbc.ca/vlbc/help/domestic_violence.page
Ending Violence Association of BC
http://endingviolence.org/
39. Important to Remember
Unless you are specially trained in
women’s services, antiviolence, or victim
services, it is usually best practice to
connect the woman up with these
specialized services.
These services can help her with a SAFETY
PLAN and assess her level of danger
40. PLAN AHEAD
It is wise for each agency to have a
plan or a protocol in place in case a
woman asks for help so that staff will
know what actions to take and what
the local resource contacts are
• For help creating a protocol contact the Campbell River Violence In
Relationship Committee (email the Women’s Centre at info@crwomen.ca )
or your local women’s transition society
41. Resources for You
The following slide lists some resources
particularly suited for professionals
working in
medical services
mental health agencies
counselling services
Woman Centred – Trauma Informed Care
42. Building Bridges: Linking Woman Abuse,
Substance Use and Mental Ill Health
http://www.bcwomens.ca/Services/HealthSer
vices/WomanAbuseResponse
BC Women’s Hospital
Women Abuse Response Program
Trauma, Violence, and Mental Health
http://bccewh.bc.ca/research-areas/trauma-violence-mental-health/
British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health
Reducing Barriers to Support
Haskell, R. (2010) BC Society of Transition Houses.
http://www.bcsth.ca/sites/default/files/ReducingBarriersDiscussionPaper_Final.pdf
43. Local Supportive Resources
(More Listed on the Website)
Campbell River and North Island Transition Society
Operates the Ann Elmore Emergency Shelter and Rose
Harbour, provides support groups and services
250-287-7384
The Women’s Centre
Drop In Support Monday – Thursday 10-3
1116 Dogwood Street 250-287-3044
Community Based Victims Services
250-287-2421
A Campbell River Family Services Society Program
44. Check-Up on Your
Attitudes and Beliefs!
• We all form beliefs from the social, media,
and cultural information around us
• Challenge those beliefs! Examine the Myths
and Realities about woman abuse!
Learn and share the facts with your
coworkers, friends, and family
48. Credits for This Project
Principle Author and Investigator:
Georgette Whitehead, MSW, RCC, RSW
Contributors & Reviewers:
Eileen Stearns, BSW, RSW, Contributor, researcher
Jodi Grundle, MSc, Contributor
Marnie MacLachlan, reviewer
Graphic Facilitation Art by Jill Banting, MA.
Informed by a focus group of experiential women
A full list of references is available on our website
