Family Violence Intervention

Brief Description

Family Violence Intervention provides services and support to women, men, and families living in violent or potentially violent circumstances. It is comprised of Family Violence Intervention programs, Indigenous Family Violence Intervention programs, Northern Transportation Strategy Initiatives and STOPS to Violence which is a provincial network of individuals and organizations.

Goals

The main goals of these programs are to:

1. empower victims;
2. end the cycle of violence;
3. increase access to places of safety for victims; and
4. educate on abuse.

Clientele

Family Violence Intervention programs provide a variety of services to women, men and families. These services are provided by community-based organizations based on community gaps and needs. The Northern Saskatchewan Transportation Support Initiative provides services solely to residents in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District who are leaving circumstances of interpersonal violence and abuse. Referrals procedures vary from program to program.

Core Components

Incident Response – services offered respond to harm and/or victimization that has occurred.

Risk Intervention – services offered identify risk situations and mobilize interventions to mitigate identified risks.

Prevention – services offered encourage protective factors related to known risks.

Services that may be offered include: clinical counselling, crisis response and intervention, in-home visits, drop-in and registered group programming, individual case planning, safety planning, and community awareness and presentations. Intervention services also provide transportation to clients when necessary.

Family Violence Intervention programs support community based organizations that provide services to adults who are at risk of, victims of, and survivors of interpersonal violence and abuse (with and without their children) in vulnerable circumstances. Outreach services funded through Family Violence Intervention programs assist clients who may not use a shelter or need help in accessing a shelter or other services.

Implementation Information

Some of the critical elements for the implementation of this program or initiative include the following:

• Organizational requirements: Agencies are responsible for the overall administration and coordination of services and to ensure the programs are suitably staffed.
• Partnerships: Family Violence Intervention programs continuously work to improve professional relationships with governments and external agencies. Their networks include a broad range of partners who come from communities, governments, corrections, policing, health, and community-based organizations.
• Training and technical assistance: The Community Safety and Well-Being Branch offers ongoing support in the areas of contract obligations, program development and support or guidance, if requested.
• Risk assessment tools: Limited information on this topic.
• Materials & resources: Limited information on this topic.

International Endorsements

The most recognized classification systems of evidence-based crime prevention programs have classified this program or initiative as follows:

• Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development: Not applicable.
• Crime Solutions/OJJDP Model Program Guide: Not applicable.
• SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: Not applicable.
• Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy: Not applicable.

Gathering Canadian Knowledge

Canadian Implementation Sites

Family Violence Intervention programs are available in Saskatchewan through contracted agencies in Estevan, Fort Qu’Appelle, Hudson Bay, Humboldt, Kindersley, La Ronge, Meadow Lake, Melfort, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Weyburn, and Yorkton.

Indigenous Family Violence Programs in Saskatchewan are currently implemented in Battlefords, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, and Yorkton.

The Northern Transportation and Support Initiative is based out of La Ronge, Saskatchewan and serves residents in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District.

STOPS to Violence started in 1992 when a group of individuals came together to form the Provincial Partnership Committee on Family Violence. In 1998, the Provincial Partnership Committee on Family Violence became Saskatchewan Towards Offering Partnership Solutions to Violence. Stops to Violence is located in Regina, Saskatchewan and has a province-wide network of individuals and organizations.

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

In 2021, a third party evaluator, Qatalyst Research Group, was engaged to complete an evaluation of the Family Violence Intervention programs. The report will be made available upon completion.

Cost Information

In 2021-22 Community Safety and Well-Being will provide $1.9M to 14 agencies to provide 16 Family Violence Intervention programs across the province.

Victims Services will provide $539K in 2021-22 for Indigenous Family Violence Intervention Programs which serve 3,039 clients.

Community Safety and Well-Being Branch provides North Sask Victims Services Inc. up to $66,106 annually for the direct delivery and administration of the Northern Transportation and Support Initiative.

Community Safety and Well-Being will provide $85,000 in funding to STOPS for Violence in 2021-22.

References

Ministry of Justice. (2018). Saskatchewan Domestic Violence Death Review Report. https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/102525

Ministry of Justice. (2019).  Interpersonal Violence and Abuse: Response to the Domestic Violence Death Review 2019. https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/100831

Victims Services Branch. (2017). Domestic Violence Safety Planning Guide. Ministry of Justice. https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/87853

For more information on this program, contact:

Integrated Justice Services

Community Safety & Well-Being

Interpersonal Violence and Abuse

600 - 1874 Scarth Street

Regina, SK S4P 4B3

Telephone: 306-787-2733

Email: sarah.collins@gov.sk.ca

Website: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/justice-crime-and-the-law/victims-of-crime-and-abuse/interpersonal-violence-and-abuse-programs

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Integrated Justice Services

Community Safety and Well-Being

Victims Services

610-1874 Scarth St

Regina, SK S4P 4B3

Telephone: 1-888-286-6664

Email: Dwight.Lawrence@gov.sk.ca

Website: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/justice-crime-and-the-law/victims-of-crime-and-abuse/help-for-indigenous-victims-of-crime

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North Sask Victim Services Inc.

BOX 1409

La Ronge, SK S0J 1L0

Telephone: 306-425-6453

Website: http://northsaskvictimservices.com/resources/

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Saskatchewan Towards Offering Partnership Solutions to Violence Inc.

103 - 1102 8th Ave

Regina, SK S4R 1C9

Telephone: 306-565-3199

Email: info@stopstoviolence.com 

Website: http://www.stopstoviolence.com/