neighbours, friends and families @ work communities working together to end woman abuse
TRANSCRIPT
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
The Rationale
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
(Former) Chair, Domestic Violence Death Review Committee
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
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
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Critical Events & Missed Opportunities Dupont Inquest
84
37 Events
Opportunities
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Domestic Violence is Common at Work
• 24% of employees have experienced domestic violence
• 70% of people experiencing domestic violence are victimized at work
• 54 % miss three or more days of work a month
• 22 % of workers report that they have worked with someone who has been a victim of domestic violence
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Workplace Implications
• Economic costs - $4B /year in Canada (partial costs)
• 74% of victims are harassed while at work, which puts themselves and all people present at the workplace at risk
• In 9 out of 10 workplace incidents, the victim confides in a co-worker
• Most workplaces are unprepared
CREVAWC: 1998Zachary 2000
7
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Why Involve Workplaces?Perpetrators choose her workplace as a means to access her because often this is a factor in her life
that remains unchanged and predictable.
Even if she has changed residences to isolate herself from the perpetrator, she may still experience the negative actions at work.
8
Zachary, 2000
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act
The employer’s duty:
“take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances” for the protection of workers when they are aware of – or ought reasonably to be aware – that domestic violence may occur in the workplace, and that it would likely expose a worker to physical injury”
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
NFF @ Work
Adapted from Neighbours, Friends &Families public education campaign
Teach everyone in the workplace:
•To recognize warning
•To respond safely and effectively
•To make appropriate referrals
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
How it WorksHow it WorksEngaging The Potential and Power of Everyday RelationshipsEngaging The Potential and Power of Everyday Relationships
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work13
The NFF@Work Program
Level 1: Information• Introduce campaign and materials to all employees
Level 2: Education• 1 hour ‘core content’ presentation to all employees
Level 3: Sustainability •2 Day Facilitator Training
•2-Day: Train the Trainer / Senior Team training (MIOB)
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Workplace Scenarios
• Responding to warning signs– Scenario 10
• Responding to risk factors– Scenario 12
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
The Model
• MCCCEWA hired Eric Magni, a retired Ministry of Transportation employee
• Eric had spent 35 years in Engineering and Construction
• Received 2-day training from CREVAWC to be able to deliver one hour presentation
• Has become a strong ally for VAW sector
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
The ModelNFF Coordinator worked
– 8 months a year– 15 hours a week– Total of about 500 hours– 500 hours @ $25 per hr = $12,500
Coordinator paid with– NFF project funds, plus– Portion of CC’s annualized funds from MCSS
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Results
Achievements in 2009 and 2010• Information distributed to over 400 workplaces• 69 Workplaces have become NFF Workplace
Champions involving approximately 3,500 employees
• 50 presentations to workplaces
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Results
Achievements in 2009 and 2010• 2 Annual Facilitator Trainer workshops in
Strathroy• 2 Annual Recognition/Award Events in Strathroy• Various advertising: newspapers, radio,
billboards
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Provincial Results
• NFF Workplace Champion Award Ceremonies in 9 communities
• 300 + workplaces recognized as NFF Workplace Champions
• Program recognition from Wayne DeLorme, Associate Director of the Occupational Health and Safety Branch, MOL
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Implementation Support
• Mentoring from the NFF Workplace Consultant
• Workshops and teleconferences with NFF@Work Coordinators from across the province
• Support to organize an annual Workplace Champion Award Ceremony
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Benefits to CCs
• An opportunity to broaden the audiences we can reach with messages about prevention and response
• Wider public engagement and understanding of the issue
• Potential for a coordinated approach across the province
Neighbours, Friends and Families @ Work
Benefits to CCs
• Address the problem named on the survey of low level of recognition for VAWCC work
• Build relationships with non-profit, public and private sector workplaces
• Increase visibility and increase support for our work