Survivor Inclusion – How Do We Make it

Happen?

A webinar by the Survivor Voices Inclusion Project

Facilitated by Margaret, Dawn and SueCreated for the Ontario Association of Interval and

Transitional Houses

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SVIP GoalTo build a model of meaningful and creative ways to engage women survivors of abuse in the work of women’s service agencies. The goal being to combine the knowledge and expertise of women survivors and agency staff in the work to end violence against women.

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• 12 workshops across Ontario

• Reached over 180 participants through workshops

• 5 different surveys on a different topics

• Over 200 surveys answered

• A website, Facebook page and Twitter feed (

www.oaithsvip.com)

• Shared what we have heard with participants

• Researched other projects that will benefit SVIP

What we have done3

Hands Across Ontario4

At the workshopWe listen to

everyone’s ideas and goals for inclusion.

We learn from the

experiences others share.

We work together to develop meaningful ways of engaging

survivors in the work of shelters and

second stage homes.

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SVIP Workshop Questions

Inclusions1- How do women want to be engaged in the programs and activities of shelters and second stage homes?

2- What do survivors and agencies need to make these ideas a reality?

Barriers1- What barriers do survivors and agencies face that stop this engagement?

2- How can we creatively overcome these barriers?

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Three Top Inclusions

The inclusions we have heard most are:

Education – 20%Mentoring – 15%Advocating – 10%

some other things we've heard:Creation/Support of Survivor Groups

Knowledge SharingCreating Networks of Agencies & Survivors

Survivors as Outreach Workers in Community

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# 1 Inclusion is Education

Women across the province have told us that they want to

educate their communities and all

services that work with abused women and children.

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Survivors As Educators

Schools Police

Criminal Justice Agencies, i.e. Judges, Courts and Lawyers

Women in Agencies CAS Politici

ans

The Public

Agency Staff

Men & Men’s Groups

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By working with the education system survivors want to reach:

• Students from preschool to university• Both females and males students

• Staff in the school system including teachers and administrators

• Decision makers at the school board level

Schools10

CAS/ Police/Criminal Justice System• Make empathy and abuse awareness training

mandatory for all staff• Survivors and agency staff involved in all aspects of

training sessions

Men and Men's Group;• Working with men and men’s groups to create

awareness about abuse• Education about abuse everywhere including the

workplace

Other11

For inclusions like this to work survivors need support in a variety of

ways.

Across the board we have heard that agency support is vital to the

success of survivor engagement projects.

Tell us about it!

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To be Healed and Ready - Time

Good Self-Esteem Training and Skill BuildingSupport from Agencies and

CommunityCreditability and Value in

SocietyInformation about

Opportunities

What women said they want & need to become engaged

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• SVIP recognizes that women have specific needs to become engaged

• We also recognize that agencies have needs when it comes to survivor engagement.

• Agencies have told us they need:• Women to come forward to become engaged• Staffing resources• Commitment of time from women• Ownership by women of projects

What do you need to engage survivors with the work in your agency?

Agencies Needs14

Barriers

The barriers we have heard most are:

Lack of Funding – 14%Lack of information on how to get involved –

8%

Some other barriers we've heard:Timing/Healing for women

Agency PoliciesLack of Transportation

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Solutions to barriers Lack of Funding:Research grants and funding (including corporate funding) opportunities.

Host local fundraisers (joint efforts between agencies and survivors)

Lack of information about engagement opportunities:Create email groups and social media outlets women can join to keep up to date on opportunities

Distribute brochures on abuse and how to get involved.

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Questions?

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How You Can Participate

Answer surveys on our website

www.oaithsvip.comJoin a workshop in your

areaAnswer the handout

workshopsAdd to our online galleryJoin us on Facebook and

Twitter

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DawnProject Coordinator647-465-8417dawn@oaithsvip.com

SueSurvivor Liaison226-228-1182sue@oaithsvip.com

Thank youFor more information or to get involved please contact:

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