1. Supporting the Supporters Project How informal networks can help to prevent domestic violence Elena Esina, Project Coordinator for Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence Lana Wells, Brenda Strafford Chair in the Prevention of Domestic Violence October 15, 2014 Edmonton, AB

2. Today’s Presentation Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence Societal response to domestic violence and the role of informal networks Direct experiences of informal network members dealing with domestic violence disclosures The importance of engaging informal networks and what organizations/communities can do Examples of programs that engage informal networks in prevention of domestic violence

3. Domestic Violence is Pervasive “Every hour of everyday, a woman in Alberta will be the victim of some form of violence by an ex- spouse or ex- partner“ (Wells et al., 2012) Prairie Provinces have highest rates of self- reported spousal violence in Canada 2009 – 7.6% (Statistics Canada, 2011) Domestic Violence is Costly Annual cost of violence against women after women leave abusive partners estimated at 6.9 billion in Canada (Varcoe et al., 2011) Alberta spent 600 million dollars in the last 5 years on family violence (Wells et al., 2012) Domestic Violence is Complex Domestic Violence is Preventable Capacity to build and sustain healthy relationships Stopping the transmission of violence Developing non- violent and healthy cultural norms and environments “The complex Interplay of individual, relationship, social, cultural, and environmental factors” (Krug, Dahlberg, Mercy, Zwi, & Lozano, 2002, p.12)

4. Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence Shift is focused on creating transformational change using a primary prevention approach to stop first-time victimization and perpetration of domestic violence.

5. Shift’s Guiding Principles Primary prevention Readiness and momentum (e.g., early adopters) Change at scale (population change) Champions (implementation support) Collaborative Partners Knowledge translation/mobilization/action

6. Academic /ResearchGovernment/PolicyPractitioner/Community

7. Key Levers for Change 1.Children, youth-at-risk and young adults especially those who are or are soon to be parents 2.Building healthy relationships with children and youth through school and community based settings 3.Embrace that interventions happen at kitchen tables 4.Engage men and boys in violence prevention 5.Changing socio-cultural norms and environments that influence and reinforce behaviours

8. Critical Components of an Effective Response to Domestic Violence 1.Common language 2.Underlying theory – Ecological model – Human rights-based – Gender-sensitive approach 3.Full legal response (criminal, civil, family, restorative justice and legal assistance) 4.Programs targeting perpetrators, victims, children 5.Prevention continuum primary, secondary, tertiary 6.CCC with services and systems including information sharing (protocols) 7. Specialized work with diverse populations 8. Engagement and support of informal networks 9. Training of professionals in DV 10.Strategy to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm 11. Working with the media 12. Death Review Committee = system change 13. Implementation strategy /plans 14. Evaluation = monitoring and accountability

9. Societal Response: all individuals, families, systems and institutions of society have a role and responsibility to prevent and end domestic violence. Focus on informal networks “marks a shift away from conceptualizing domestic violence as dyadic problem between two partners and toward an understanding of IPV as a societal problem with responsibility lying firmly with community members” (Latta, 2008, p. 250)

10. Everyone Has a Role in Family Violence Prevention Role of individuals, families and neighbours Role of formal and informal community leaders and community groups Role of service providers and non-governmental organizations Role of the private sector Role of the Government of Alberta http://humanservices.alberta.ca/documents/fam ily-violence-hurts-everyone.pdf

11. Existing Resource Systems of Domestic Violence Victims and Perpetrators Perpetrator Informal Networks Victim Survivor Victim Survivor Formal Systems Family, friends, neighbours, co-workers, classmates Clubs Associations Church Self- help groups Mutual Aid Groups Health Care Social Services Justice Education Housing Financial Support

12. Interchangeably used terms: Informal Networks Informal Supporters Social Support Natural Supporters/Networks Defining Informal Networks

13. Encompass family, friends, neighbours and community members who have either a formal or casual relationship with the victim. Include family, friends, neighbours, co- workers, faith and spiritual leaders, classmates, community leaders, teachers, doctors, day care workers, to name a few. Defining Informal Networks

14. 2009 General Social Survey in Canada

15. Canadian Studies 2011 Canadian population-based study found 80% of 922 female respondents used their informal networks for support. Another study, based on 696 women and 471 men found that 80.5% of women and 57.1% of men used their informal networks for help. (Ansara and Hindin, 2010; Barrett and Pierre, 2011)

16. Recent trend: Overall number of disclosures to formal and informal sources decreased (Statistics Canada, 2011, Table 1.7)

17. Social Network Analysis of Abused Women Small networks with fewer social contacts than non-abused women Their networks offer less support than those of comparison women BUT it is a number one resource for them (Katerndahl et all., 2013)

18. Albertans’ Awareness of Domestic Violence Over 50% of Albertans believe that family violence happened in their local community quite often 96% believe that at some point, someone in their local area was being abused 67% of Canadians (74% of Albertans) have known a woman who has been physically or sexually abused (Canadian Women Foundation, 2013; Ipsos Reid Public Affairs, 2012)

19. Making Informal Networks Part of the Equation Formal services and supports are critical Informal networks can play a pivotal role in preventing domestic violence “…whilst agencies may know little, informal networks know far more. If we are ever to have a truly co-ordinated community response, citizens must be provided with the knowledge, confidence and information to recognize and name coercive control and act on it.” (Regan et al., 2007, p. 43)

20. Direct Experiences of Informal Network Members Dealing with DV Disclosures Network members struggle to identify their own role and their responsibilities in relations to survivor and/or perpetrator (Klein, 2004; Latta, 2008; Latta & Goodman, 2011) Becoming aware of the violence Constructing their own narrative about the situation Choosing whether engage or not to engage with the survivor and/or perpetrator

21. Direct Experiences of Informal Network Members Dealing with DV Disclosures First studies show: – Tremendous work – Supporters feel exhausted, frustrated, and unrewarded (Klein, 2004; Latta & Goodman, 2011)

22. Positive and Negative Reactions of Informal Networks Survivors of DV clearly distinguish positive and negative reactions Negative Reactions Damage victims’ mental health, multiplying their stress and shame Positive Reactions Proven to be beneficial in many ways (Trotter & Allen, 2009; Goodkind et al., 2003; Levendosky et al., 2004)

23. The Benefits of Positive Informal Support for Victims Improved mental and physical health Increased safety and sense of worth Reduced level of distress, depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms Readiness and ability to contact formal support Improved quality of life Fewer suicide attempts Less likelihood to experience repeated abuse over the course of a year (Goodkind et al., 2003; Levendosky et al., 2004; Lippy, 2011)

24. Helpful Responses Receiving ‘good advice’ Opportunity to vent/talk about it Receiving comfort Emotional support Rationalizing the partners’ behavior Providing a neutral perspective. Least Helpful Responses Receiving ‘bad advice’ Being told to end the relationship Not understanding Joking about the experiences Expressing disbelief and blaming the victim According to Victims of Dating Violence… ( Edwards, Dardis, & Gidycz, 2012; Sylaska & Edwards, 2014 )

25. Reasons Victims DO NOT Seek Help from their Informal Network… Because of shame, fearing judgement and not wanting to be a burden Some believe they have depleted the good will or have burdened their support network unnecessarily Others found it unhelpful or harmful Victims’ minimization of the abuse (Barrett & Pierre, 2011; Edwards, Dardis, & Gidycz, 2011; Goodkind et al., 2003; O'Campo et al., 2002; Rose, Campbell, &. Kub, 2000; Wilcox, 2000)

26. Informal Networks May Not Intervene - Experiment by People Opposing Women's Abuse Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW30WslahMc

27. Factors Why Informal Networks DO NOT Intervene… Fear and safety issues Social and cultural norms and beliefs Helplessness Lack of practical information about ways to effectively handle disclosures and support the victim (Goodman, Dutton, Weinfurt, & Cook, 2003; Klein, 2004; Latta & Goodman, 2011)

28. Reasons to Engage Informal Networks The majority of victims disclose to at least one informal support - #1 resource for them They are the people who are already primarily supporting survivors Trend to rely on informal networks during, before and after the crisis Play crucial role in primary prevention of domestic violence: – share information – shape norms about relationships and violence – influence one’s use of violence (Burk, 2004; Katerndahl et all., 2013; Klein, 2004; Latta & Goodman, 2011; Trotter & Allen, 2009; Goodkind et al., 2003; Levendosky et al., 2004; Lippy, 2011; Sylaska & Edwards, 2014)

29. Services and Supports for Informal Networks Awareness Education Clinical interventions Help-lines Letting them know that help is available

30. Opportunities to Build Capacity of Informal Networks Schools and post-secondary institutions Workplaces Peer-support groups Places of worship and play

31. Engaging Informal Networks in Violence Prevention Public education campaigns illustrated success in educating and changing behaviour among friends and families: – Project Courage – Recognize, Respond, Refer (Three R’s), Florida – Neighbours, Friends and Families, Ontario – It's Not OK, New Zealand (Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children, 2012; Harbor House of Central Florida, 2010-2011; Point Research Ltd., 2010)

32. Harbor House: You Can End Domestic Violence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0oL7lhvtnE Video

33. Faith-Based Response to Domestic Violence Survivors are more likely to discuss domestic violence issues with spiritual/religious leaders than with formal systems Religious and spiritual communities are important components of a comprehensive response to domestic violence Faith communities may support and empower women experiencing domestic violence (Anton, 2005; Barrett & St. Pierre, 2011; Fisher-Townsend, Holtman, & McMullin, 2009)

34. Example of a Faith-Based Community Response (California, 10 years) Transforming Communities: Technical Assistance, Training and Resource Centre 2003-2008 funded by California Department of Public Health, Violence Prevention Unit 2008-2010 funded by the Blue Shield of California Foundation Use Spectrum of Community Change – multiple levels of prevention (Transfrorming Communities, 2010)

35. (Cohen & Swift, 1999)

36. Transforming Communities: Spectrum of Community Change (Originally developed by Larry Cohen, adapted by Transforming Communities, 2010)

37. Transforming Communities, California 2003- 2010 outcomes Ongoing evaluation: A Collaborative for Community Change Evaluation Template 950 faith and domestic violence leaders underwent training 24 teams revised and implemented policies in their faith institutions Developed the Road Map for Domestic Violence Prevention in Faith Communities 175-page workbook Faith in Violence-Free Families: Building Partnership for Change (Transforming Communities, 2010)

38. Engaging Informal Networks in Violence Prevention in Alberta Peer Support Services for Abused Women: Peer support by trained volunteers Calgary Women’s Emergency Centre: Community Action Campaign to End Family Violence and Abuse using Recognize, Respond, Refer model Calgary Domestic Violence Collective: Supporting the Supporters to Prevent Domestic Violence project

39. What We Do Not Know? Definitions vary Local context Lack of evidence-based examples of engaging informal networks in domestic violence prevention Limited research on: – Direct experiences of informal network members who intervened (or not) in domestic violence – What kind of support informal networks need

40. Actions for Organizations and Community groups Provide supports and interventions Develop and deliver train the trainer programs to family and friends Develop a peer-based model to provide support, skills and understanding Let it be known that you are there to help informal networks

41. Conclusion “Network-oriented approach” Building comprehensive strategies “Re-conceptualization of the role of the domestic violence practitioner and the scope and nature of services” (Smyth and Goodman, 2011, p. 79)

42. http://preventdomesticviolence.ca/research/

43. Max Bell Foundation

44. www.preventdomesticviolence.ca

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