Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres. A wholistic approach to ending violence for Aboriginal women, children and men

Transcription

1 Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres A wholistic approach to ending violence for Aboriginal women, children and men 1

2 Overview of comprehensive approaches to ending violence against Aboriginal women Led creation of Inter-ministerial Joint Working Group on the Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Aboriginal women Conduct regional human trafficking awareness and public education Led implementation of Aboriginal Sexual Violence Community Response Initiative Create and implement culturally designed and delivered programs Kizhaay Anishnaabe Niin Kanawayhitowin 2

3 Selected founding principles To successfully end violence, all people affected by violenceagainst Aboriginal women (victim, abuser, affected families and witnesses) need to have specific support Violence against Aboriginal women is always done within the context of a community, and as such, the community as a whole has a central role to play in addressing the issue All perpetrators of violence against Aboriginal women must be held accountable and be offered culturally based healing programsto prevent future incidents 3

4 Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy: A renewed emphasis on reducing family violence and violence against Aboriginal women and children A framework for dealing with immediate and long term measures related to family violence issues through community designed and delivered programming Education and awareness Facilitating behaviour change addressing the causes and impacts of violence Developing community-based approaches to justice 4

5 Sexual Violence Created a methodology to Track Institutional Practices that respond to sexual violence Launching a four year project in four communities with Aboriginal partners Selected outcomes: Aboriginal and non-aboriginal social service sectors have improved relationships that reduces harm for survivors of sexual violence Analysis and recommendations made where necessary to change public policy, legislation and regulations aimed at more effective responses to Aboriginal women and girls who experience sexual violence 5

6 Human Trafficking...in towns and cities in Ontario Aboriginal youth are being trafficked by being moved between hotels within cities, and across provincial borders. Youth in care are also being targeted for trafficking and being sexually exploited. (OFIFC Regional sessions 2013) OFIFC Nationally: The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) has engaged all PTAs in the development of a national awareness campaign on Aboriginal human trafficking, a project funded through Public Safety Canada In February and March 2013, OFIFC staff conducted focus group engagement sessions with three Friendship Centres to inform the development of campaign The national campaign is scheduled to launch across Canada in Summer / Fall 2013 OFIFC Provincially: An Sub-Committee of the Joint Working Group to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women has been formed to address the issue of Aboriginal human trafficking in Ontario The Sub-Committeeis compiling an environmental scan of best practices to address the issue and identifying gaps in current policies and programs The OFIFC is finalizing a position paper on the issue of Aboriginal human trafficking which identifies research on the issue as it manifests in the province of Ontario as a serious need 6

7 Kizhaay Anishnaabe Niin Invites Aboriginal men and male youth to stand up & take responsibility to end all forms of violence and abuse against Aboriginal women. It is a wholistic culturally relevant model program that values the importance of engaging men as an integral component to ending all forms of abuse against Aboriginal Women. HEALTHY INDIGENOUS MALE (HIM) Reflects Indigenous worldviews as it is a wholistic Indigenous culturally based paradigm that focuses on restoring balance within the whole family, however family is defined. HIM holds Indigenous men accountable for their abusive behaviour against their intimate partners while keeping the safety of the women involved a priority. 7

8 Kanawayhitowin Raises awareness of the warning signs and risk factors of woman abuse in Aboriginal communities. Reflects a traditional and cultural approach to community healing and wellness. Informs and educates on historical and root causes of violence against Aboriginal women. Identifies supportive strategies to address issues of women abuse, family violence, sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking and impacts on child witnesses of violence. The 2008 Ontario Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC), published by the Chief Coroner s office identifies Kanawayhitowin as a promising practice model program, recommending ongoing support to continue to educate all Aboriginal people 8

9 Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres 219 Front Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 1E8 Tel Fax Healing and Wellness Manager: Katherine Minich 9