Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Domestic Violence in the WorkplaceNFFNNNFF @ Work in Ontario
What everyone needs to know...
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Why are we here?
In almost every case of domestic homicide, we found that the people around the victim knew what was going on – but
didn’t know what to do about it…
Al O’Marra
(Former) Chief Counsel Coroner’s Office of Ontario
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Neighbours, Friends and Families have a crucial role to play in preventing woman abuse
You can learn about the warning signs of woman abuse and you can learn how to help
You can make the brochures and safety cards available to people you know
Key Messages Key Messages
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Communities working together can make a difference in abused women’s and children’s lives
Talking to abusive men is critical to ending woman abuse
Abusive behaviour won’t go away by itself. There are services to help men who abuse
Key Messages Key Messages
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How Can I Support Her?
• Talk to her about what you see and assure her that you are concerned
• Tell her you believe her and that it is not her fault
• Provide information about safety
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Safety Planning for Women• Develop a Safety Plan – it’s critical!• Getting Ready to Leave• Leaving the Abuser• After Leaving
Referral Information:
The Assaulted Women’s Helpline, and other women’s services in your area
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What Can I Say? When someone you care about is acting abusively:
• Approach him when he is calm
• Tell him that you are concerned for the safety of his partner and children and that there is help for him
• Recognize that confrontational, argumentative approaches may make the situation worse and put her at higher risk
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
The Occupational Health and Safety Act changed in 2010 to make workplace violence a safety hazard.
Everyone in a workplace has a responsibility to prevent domestic violence.
All workplaces must have policies and procedures to keep workers safe.
a domestic violence workplace program
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Woman Abuse/Domestic Violence
is a private issue
In Canada, woman abuse in the workplace has been invisible
The tragic death of Lori Dupont has awakened us to the fact that it is a workplace issue
A Common Misconception
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Critical Events and Opportunities• Critical Events
• Visible warning signs and risk factors • Should raise possibility of danger
• Opportunities• A chance to intervene • Can be missed because of uncertainty or
missing information• Organizations and individuals are unprepared
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Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Critical Events & Missed Opportunities Dupont Inquest
84
37 Events
Opportunities
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Dupont / Daniel Inquest - RecommendationsDupont / Daniel Inquest - Recommendations
““to provide support to all workplaces to train all employees to provide support to all workplaces to train all employees about the dynamics of domestic violence….as well as what about the dynamics of domestic violence….as well as what to do if faced with a situation where violence enters the to do if faced with a situation where violence enters the workplaceworkplace
……model programs such as Neighbours, Friends and model programs such as Neighbours, Friends and Families may be expanded in Ontario and be more directly Families may be expanded in Ontario and be more directly inclusive of the role of the workplace”.inclusive of the role of the workplace”.
NFF – “Model Program”NFF – “Model Program”
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
NFF in the WorkplaceIncludes:
•Why Workplaces Need to be Involved
•The Dynamics of Domestic Abuse
•How to Interrupt the Isolation
•How to Intervene Safely and Respectfully
•How to “open the door”…
•Understanding the Traps of Why She Does Not Leave
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Know the Rule of Isolation
Isolation is a factor that is always present in situations of woman abuse
…It could even be considered a necessary condition
As the abuse escalates – the isolation becomes more profound
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Behaviours Designed to Interrupt Isolation
1. Learn to Recognize signs of abuse
2. Respond - Don’t sit alone with suspicions and questions
3. Seek help and take appropriate action – Refer to professionals
SEE it – NAME it – CHECK it
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
How do we prepare ourselves?
Start with HeartYou can’t go wrong if you intervene
from a place of genuine concern and care…
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Websites
www.neighboursfriendsandfamilies.ca
www.kanawayhitowin.ca
www.voisinsamisetfamilles.ca
www.makeitourbusiness.com
Neighbours, Friends and Families
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
How it WorksHow it WorksEngaging The Potential and Power of Everyday RelationshipsEngaging The Potential and Power of Everyday Relationships
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
YOUYOU
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Final Thoughts
You don’t have to be a hero or fix the situation.
Caring about the people around us, paying attention to them when there are signs of trouble and responding appropriately can
make a big difference.
Little things count.
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