domestic violence in the workplace nffnn nff @ work in ontario

Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work

Domestic Violence in the WorkplaceNFFNNNFF @ Work in Ontario

What everyone needs to know...


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 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


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

Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work5

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


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


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


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


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


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

10


Critical Events & Missed Opportunities Dupont Inquest

84

37 Events

Opportunities

Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work 1212

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”


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


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


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


How do we prepare ourselves?

Start with HeartYou can’t go wrong if you intervene

from a place of genuine concern and care…


Websites

www.neighboursfriendsandfamilies.ca

www.kanawayhitowin.ca

www.voisinsamisetfamilles.ca

www.makeitourbusiness.com

Neighbours, Friends and Families


How it WorksHow it WorksEngaging The Potential and Power of Everyday RelationshipsEngaging The Potential and Power of Everyday Relationships


YOUYOU


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.

domestic violence in the workplace nffnn nff @ work in ontario

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