Ontario Network of Sexual Assault /Domestic Violence Treatment Centres

A method to create deep discussion. What is a World Café? A way to explore questions that really matter. An opportunity to change our standard questions, and so get different answers.

To go beyond first-level conversation. To create new links among people. To share what is most meaningful to each participant. To give ourselves the gift of genuinely listening. To give each other the gift of being heard. Why hold a World Café?

The purpose of this conference is to engage in meaningful discussions that challenge our practice, stimulate choices for care and change our understanding of issues related to sexual assault and domestic violence.

What makes a good World Café? 1.Listen well. 2.Protect “safe space”. 3.Record what is most important to you.

How does it work? 3 rounds of conversation, with a different topic question for each one. Table hosts ensure everyone has a chance to speak. Use markers on paper table covers to record your thoughts and images. Hosts post the note sheets at the end of each round. Précis tomorrow afternoon.

3 Discussion Rounds based on the conference theme: Challenges Choices Changes

Challenges

What issues, opportunities, etc. are you facing? Nurses – recruitment, retention, shift coverage, ongoing education requirements. Skill and training – to avoid further trauma to child and women, while preserving the chain of evidence to pursue charges. Violence – effects of exposure; e.g., burn-out, emotional reactions, numbness: how achieve self-care? Funding cuts – reducing service, professional education, fewer shifts when violence occurs (weekends); no pay incentive to acquire additional certification and responsibilities. Systemic barriers – e.g., Union contract terms for on-call hours reduce nurses’ availability; little pay scale mobility, which reduces retention. continued...

Challenges continued Cooperation and jurisdiction -- between and among agencies, professions; professional differences of opinion (e.g., HIV anti- viral protocol). Long-term effect – on victims (i.e. rape kit, repeated court appearances, abuser avoids punishment, women/children must relocate, etc.) Barriers for victims – language, culture, money, blame the victim attitudes, fear of further abuse as a consequence of reporting, shame. Societal circumstances – continuing pattern of violence against women (deaths); women emerging as abusers. “Issue creep” – mandate for one service, but other issues surface and become (more) important; e.g., help the individual or the family?

Choices What choices have we made to date to deal with our challenges? Are these “best practices” that we want to share with others in the room? Rise above details: Ask each other “deep”, probing questions.

Changes What new choices would you have to make to get the results you want? What changes in attitudes, actions, resources, arrangements, agreements, etc. would this require? You are creating a high-level action plan: brainstorm to help each other.

Carol J. Sutton Cert.ConRes CJS Communications Inc., Delta, British Columbia