May 9 to 11, 2007 * London, Ontario, Canada
Wednesday, May 9
This is the program for the pre-conference workshops and the opening activities.
Day at a Glance
Continental breakfast (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.)
Six concurrent pre-conference workshops (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Networking reception (5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
Opening address (7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
Evening plenary address (7:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.)
Domestic violence play (8:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.)
Pre Conference Workshops (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
These six full-day workshops run concurrently.
Workshop A. Domestic Violence & Child Custody Disputes
This workshop addresses the dilemmas faced by courts and court-related professionals such as lawyers, mediators and custody assessors when assisting parents to craft workable post-separation parenting arrangements in the context of DV. While the majority of separating parents can work out co-parenting plans, parents with a history of domestic violence may need different resolutions, perhaps involving limited, supervised or no contact with children. Proper assessment and investigation into all abuse allegations are essential to match appropriate parenting arrangements to each unique family circumstance. A mock trial will illustrate the dilemmas for the court as well as updated assessment strategies to examine parenting abilities and risk assessment tools for batterers, victims and their children. Intervention strategies will be outlined for complex cases.
Peter G. Jaffe, Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children - London, Ontario
Nick Bala, Queen's University - Kingston, Ontario
Alf Mamo, Mamo & Associates - London, Ontario
Deborah Sinclair, Private Practice - Toronto, Ontario
Tim Kelly, Changing Ways - London, Ontario
Katreena Scott, OISE, University of Toronto - Toronto, Ontario
Carol Barkwell, Luke's Place - Oshawa, Ontario
Eugene Hyman, Superior Court, Santa Clara County - San Jose, California
Justice Grant Campbell, Superior Court of Justice, Family Court Branch - London, Ontario
Workshop B. Mothering After Domestic Violence: New Hands-on Activities for Intervening with Abused Women
Shelter staff, child protection workers, advocates and others working with abused women will come away with new tools to support mothers parenting children who lived with violence. These hopeful and helpful strategies are grounded in a holistic understanding of how children are shaped by abuse at home. Building on the popular Helping Children Thrive resource, this all-new material responds to the many requests for more, and more advanced, exercises and checklists. These new tools are released here for the first time. Whether you are doing individual advocacy or group work, you'll leave with handouts, exercises, new engagement strategies, and inspiration.
Linda Baker, Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System - London, Ontario
Alison Cunningham, Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System - London, Ontario
Workshop C. The Fourth R: A Universal School-based Program for Promoting Violence Prevention and Healthy Relationships
Teens face numerous pressures and choices concerning substance use, sexual behavior, and abuse and violence in their peer and dating relationships. The best strategies for reducing such problems take into account the important relationship context in which they often co-occur. The Fourth R (for relationships) is delivered by teachers as part of the Health curriculum. The 21-classroom lessons teach knowledge and skills necessary to make safe choices in adolescence concerning substance use, sexuality, and healthy relationships. School- and community-wide activities also support classroom activities. The theory, structure, and research findings of the program will be described, accompanied by classroom videos.
David A. Wolfe, CAMH Centre for Prevention Science - London, Ontario
Ray Hughes, CAMH Centre for Prevention Science - London, Ontario
Debbie Chiodo, CAMH Centre for Prevention Science - London, Ontario
Workshop D. Violence in the Lives of Girls in Canada: Using Knowledge to Create Action and Change
NB: This workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. only, with a working lunch
Over the past eight years, the Alliance of Canadian Research Centres on Violence has been examining how girls are socialized to expect violence, how it becomes 'normalized' in their lives, and strategies to overcome and resist violence. A key finding is that violence is often trivialized and dismissed. Our current research focuses on how violence is experienced differently by virtue of race, class, sexual orientation, ability, rurality, or heritage. Using creative research approaches, including 'photo novella,' girls have been mentored in the research process. In this workshop, a panel of girls will illustrate how violence has shaped their lives; consider how knowledge can be used to bring about action and change; and discuss the implications of this work for themselves and their communities.
Helene Berman, Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children in collaboration with the Alliance of Canadian Research Centres on Violence
Barb MacQuarrie, Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children - London, Ontario
Workshop E. Empowering Aboriginal Youth through Strength-based Violence Prevention
Aboriginal youth are at disproportionate risk for experiencing violence in their relationships. Programming focused on individual deficits does not account for the historical context of these problems. In comparison, programs that encourage connection to cultural heritage, while promoting relationship skills, create growth without further stigmatizing youth. This workshop emphasizes a prevention approach that increases cultural identity and empowers youth through healthy relationship skills. Examples of a community drama program, a peer mentoring program, a classroom-based health curriculum and several video projects will be used to illustrate these concepts. Workshop will include background rationale, program descriptions, participatory activities, and reflection from previous youth participants.
Claire Crooks, CAMH Centre for Prevention Science and Centre for Reseach and Education on Violence Against Women and Children - London, Ontario
Darren Thomas, New Orators Youth Project - Six Nations of the Grand River Territory
Other educators, community members, youth and researchers
Workshop F. The Role of Mental Health Practitioners in Two Forensic Areas
Morning Session (9 a.m. to noon)
What are the Elements of a Helpful Parenting Capacity Assessment When Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence May be an Issue?
The Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System has completed more than 100 PCA evaluations over the past few years under Dr. Ashbourne's clinical direction. This workshop will discuss lessons learned in this growing forensic field where clinical practice and legal matters cross. Helpful guidelines will be suggested incorporating a good practice framework particularly as it related to issues of domestic violence and/or child abuse, the benefits of a dedicated team of clinical practitioners for this work, and how practice in this area can be greatly improved by clarifying relevant referral questions to be addressed in the PCA.
Daniel T. Ashbourne, Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System - London, Ontario
Afternoon session (1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
When Should Children be Called to Testify in Domestic Violence Cases?
When one parent is charged with assaulting the other, when is it in the child's best interests to testify? When is it not? Based on a follow-up study by the of children called to testify in domestic violence court and information from over 100 files of children as witnesses in domestic violence cases, this interactive workshop is for justice system personnel, women's advocates, and child protection workers. Using case examples and assessment tools, children's dilemmas and fears are identified. Special protections and accommodations for children giving evidence in court will be discussed.
Pamela Hurley, Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System - London, Ontario
Networking Reception (5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
Opening Address (7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada
Evening Plenary Address (7:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m)
"Making Risk Assessment Count: From Safety Planning to Risk Reduction for Abuse Victims and their Children"
Jacquelyn Campbell, Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, Maryland
Children Exposed to Domestic Violence Play (8:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.)
"Hero in the Shadows" by Reed Needles