New Initiatives
Domestic Violence, Mental Health, and Addictions Curriculum Development project
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce the Domestic Violence, Mental Health, and Addictions Curriculum Development project. This project is funded by the Province of Ontario through the Ontario Women’s Directorate. The principal investigator is Dr. Robin Mason, Research Scientist at Women’s College Research Institute at Women’s College Hospital and the co-principal investigator is Dr. Brenda Toner, Co-Head of Social Equity and Health Research at CAMH and Professor and Head of Women’s Mental Health Program at University of Toronto.
The goal of the project is to draw upon the expertise of those working in the VAW, mental health, and addiction fields to a) identify core competencies for working at the intersection of these three sectors and b) incorporate the competencies into a practical curriculum to ensure abused women receive the best care possible wherever they go for help.
The published literature and the province’s Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) have noted that domestic violence homicides frequently occur in conjunction with mental health issues and/or substance use. The DVDRC has consistently recommended that frontline service providers develop greater knowledge about the intersection of mental health and substance use issues with domestic violence perpetration and victimization. A key objective of this project is to share information, improve communication and coordination across sectors, and create linkages among those working in VAW, mental health, and addictions. A secondary objective is to involve those who work with abusive men in the developing dialogue.
Susan O’Rinn, Project Coordinator
Tel: (416) 351-3732, ext. 2704
Email: susan.orinn@wchospital.ca
Check out the new ILID Facebook fan page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=138759822812892#!/pages/In-Love-and-In-Danger/138759822812892?v=wall …and our new blog: http://inloveandindanger.blogspot.com/. Feel free to comment and share with others – we want to get the word out about these new tools.
Ottawa has a Dress for Success!
We were granted our affiliate status in February of this year. As of June 1, Dress for Success Ottawa National Capital Region is officially incorporated as a not for profit agency. We are therefore one step closer to outfitting marginalized women in the area with the clothing, skills - and the confidence - they need to find work.
How will we do that? Working with local referral agencies, DFS Ottawa will provide women who have landed a job interview with appropriate business attire. And they can also take part in our Professional Women's Group, that will focus on mentoring and career development. We hope to sign a lease agreement for space by the end of June. It is our intention to to outfit our first clients this fall!
Dress for Success Ottawa National Capital Region
ottawa@dressforsuccess.org
www.dressforsuccess.org/ottawa
The Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre officially launched a sexual assault support line for Carleton students, staff and faculty this morning at 8am.
The number is 613-620-1030 and the line is open from 8am to midnight, 7 days a week.
The line offers free, confidential, peer support to all Carleton students, staff, and faculty regardless of gender, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, citizenship, ability, age, Mother Tongue or student status. We are NOT affiliated with Carleton University administration in any way. Our work is funded through an anonymous donor.
We are trained support workers who work within an anti-oppressive, feminist, survivor-driven framework. We are here for survivors, first and foremost and our creation of the line is a result of feedback from students over the past 3 years. The Coalition has been very active and very public since the fall of 2007 and in doing so, have been approached by hundreds of students either through our rallies, our Facebook group, our e-mail or through the Task Force on Gender-Based Violence, which was held in November, 2009. Students want access to services that are non-judgmental, non-hierarchical and responsive to the needs of the student body. Survivors want to be heard.
We are continuing to participate in a working group with Equity Services with the goal of a joint recommendation to President Runte by the end of this semester. The hope is that President Runte will consider our recommendations for improved sexual assault services on campus and make an announcement in the fall, bringing concrete changes to Carleton. The Coalition is recommending a student-run, university funded sexual assault centre.
For more information, please call or e-mail us at coalitionforcarleton@gmail.com
Social Sciences and Humanities Curriculum Review
Feedback Consultation – Fall 2009
In January, 2009 educators and other stakeholders had an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed draft revisions of a number of courses in the Social Sciences and Humanities Curriculum, Grades 9 to 12. We are now soliciting feedback from educators and stakeholders on three new courses which will be a part of the revised Social Sciences and Humanities Curriculum. These courses are:
- Gender Studies (Grade 11 – University/College Preparation)
- World Cultures (Grade 12 – University/College Preparation)
- Human Dynamics (Grade 11 – Workplace Preparation)
The Miss G Project for Equity in Education
McGuinty Government Reforms Family Justice For Ontarians
Restraining orders in Ontario have been strengthened to improve the security of those suffering from domestic violence, most of whom are women and children.
Man Talk
Finding postive ways to engage men to end violence against women
community initiatives
white ribbon campaign
resources & links
Reports
Hidden From Sight
This report arose from a need to obtain a more global understanding of the current state of violence against women (woman abuse and sexual violence) in Ottawa.
May 2009
Launch
