Women s Issues Branch Violence Prevention Initiatives. Domestic Violence Outreach Program

Transcription

1 Women s Issues Branch Violence Prevention Initiatives Domestic Violence Outreach Program

2 Domestic Viiolence Outreach Program Province of New Brunswick P.O. Box 6 Fredericton NB E3B 5H1 CANADA ISBN

3 The Province of New Brunswick s plan on violence against women, identifies outreach services as a priority. The goal of outreach, as defined in the plan, is to ensure women living in or leaving abusive relationships have access to someone who can respond to their crisis and support them. The domestic violence outreach program improves women s access to community services and service providers, provides help and information to women in need as well as increases awareness of the issue of domestic violence in the community. The program is an important resource for family violence services, and guides victims to the services they need. Outreach workers have a variety of tasks in their everyday job: create awareness and prevention, including presentations on family violence and outreach program for government departments, community organizations, schools and groups in the community; plan public awareness activities such as articles for local newspaper, radio interviews, brochure or flyer to promote services or public events on family violence issues, and ensure other service providers are aware of outreach services; offer crisis intervention and individual support for those affected by domestic violence; complete risk assessments and safety planning with clients; ensure safe meeting places in the community; facilitate and collaborate on the development of community-based sexual assault services; and assist local family violence committee in coordination with stakeholders in their area. The Women s Issues Branch has provisions for funding fourteen (14) Outreach Programs serving Kent County, the Chaleur region, the Beauséjour region, the Miramichi area, the Acadian Peninsula, Moncton, Saint John, Kennebecasis Valley, Sussex, Charlotte County, Woodstock, North-West, Campbellton, and the Fredericton area; however, during the fiscal year, two programs were not in operation (Charlotte County and Chaleur region). Domestic Violence Outreach Program

4 Statistics and observations In , the outreach workers had 918 individual clients and 5993 separate contacts with these clients. Although the majority of contact is face-to-face meetings (46%), telephone (support) contact is a common means to access the outreach worker accounting for 4% of the contacts. The initial contact by telephone allows a client to access information and support with some anonymity, as they may be reluctant to discuss their personal situations. Although the rural nature of the province and limited resources may make it difficult for clients to access services regularly, 57% indicated they were from a rural area, as opposed to the largest town or urban area. The accessibility of outreach workers by telephone (2423) and electronically (816) may decrease the possible isolation for individuals in rural regions. Approximately half (52%) of face-to-face meetings occurred in the main outreach office, while the other half (48%) in satellite locations, clients homes or other community locations. Many clients experience transportation challenges, so a variety of meeting options increase the accessibility of the Domestic Violence Outreach Program. There were 782 services provided to the 918 outreach clients. Most frequently, clients needed individual support (2325) and information (148). Referrals (684), safety planning (672) and follow-up (659) were provided almost equally. The outreach services were accessed mostly by women (94%). The clients were of all ages, with half aged 3 to 49. They were from a diverse population which included Anglophones, Francophones, Aboriginals; visible minorities and immigrants; individuals with physical and mental disabilities; and individuals from same sex relationships. Children are living in families where violence is a problem 58% of the clients indicated they have children and 13 women were pregnant. Intimate partner violence is a significant problem for clients who are accessing the outreach service. Verbal, emotional or psychological abuse are the most common problems identified, followed by physical abuse, financial abuse and sexual abuse. In their initial meetings with an outreach worker, clients often disclosed the type of abuse they experienced; however, in subsequent meetings many identified further types of abuse they experienced. As clients and outreach workers build rapport, a client may feel more comfortable sharing information. Thirty-five percent of sexual assault disclosures were made after the initial meeting. This may be due to the social stigma, myths and misconceptions about sexual assault Victims suffered abuse at the hand of current and ex-partners in married, common-law, and dating relationships. Two hundred and seventy-three of the abusers were in current relationships with their victims and 326 were expartners. The end of an abusive relationship is not always the end of the abuse. There were 148 requests for information, indicating that clients value access to information from someone they are able to talk with. Not only do victims of abuse seek information, but family and friends also access information to help victims in their lives. Public Awareness Through public awareness activities, the Domestic Violence Outreach Program reached over 17, New Brunswickers to increase awareness of domestic violence. 4 Domestic Violence Outreach Program

5 New and returning client stats Age Gender Under New Clients Males Females Residence Children Resides in largest town/urban area - Rural New Clients 99 First nations community Residence Unknown Children - Yes Children - No Pregnant Children: Unknown New Clients 84 Language French English Other New Clients 895 Domestic Violence Outreach Program

6 Information Visible Minority Clients Aboriginal Clients Living with a disability Same-sex partner Newcomer to Canada Secondary Victim or Third Party Not a visible minority accounts for 526 new clients. New Clients 626 * Contact Type 3, 2,5 2, 1,5 1, 5 Telephone Support Face-to-Face Meeting: Main location Face-to-Face Meeting: Satellite location Face-to-Face Meeting: Client s home Face-to-Face Meeting: Other community location Electronic New Clients 1,884 Returning 419 Total Domestic Violence Outreach Program

7 Presenting Issues 1,2 1, Physical Abuse Verbal, Emotional or Psychological Abuse Financial Abuse Sexual Assault Other Abuse Information Secondary Victim or Third Party Other (please identify) New New Clients 1,974 Returning 81 Total 2784 Domestic Violence Outreach Program

8 2,5 2, 1,5 1, 5 Services Provided Crisis Crisis Intervention (urgent and immediate situations) intervention (urgent and immediate situation) Safety Planning Referrals to other organization /support Safety Planning Referrals to other organization/support Accompaniment Information Individual Support Support Groups Follow-up Case conferencing Not eligible for services Accompaniment Information Individual Support Support Groups Follow-up Case conferencing Not eligible for services Received Received services previously services previously New Clients 3,19 Returning 4,612 Total 7,82 Other Other 8 Domestic Violence Outreach Program

9 * Domestic Violence Outreach Program Abuser Information Married Partner Ex-married Partner or Separated Common Law Partner Ex-common law partner or separated Dating Relationship Ex-Dating Relationship New Clients 712 Returning 17,916 Total 18,628 New Clients 712 Returning 17,916 Total 18,628 * Public Awareness/Education - Group or Activity accounts for 17,916 returning clients. Other Relationship (please identify) Domestic Violence Outreach Program