Annual Training Forum & SGM 2012
Emerging Issues in Anti-Violence: Working to Achieve Safety, Justice and Healing for Women and Children
Frontline and anti-violence workers from across BC gathered at the
Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel in Richmond on March 1 & 2,
2012 for EVA BC's Annual Training Forum. The training provided
participants with a focus on topical, emerging issues that were identified by frontline anti-violence workers and some introductory basics for newer workers.
We gratefully acknowledge funding from Department of Justice Canada and the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General towards the Annual Training Forum.
Click the links below to view ATF 2012 Keynotes.
Aboriginal Perspectives on Violence Against Women
Terry Swan is a Cree Salteaux woman of the Fish Clan and brings over 20
years experience in the area of family violence prevention, education
and healing initiatives within Aboriginal communities. Terry presents the Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women
and discusses the process of engagement with relevant stakeholders, as well as the government of Ontario's response.
Intimate Partner Violence in LGBTQ Lives: Developing Ethical Frameworks
Janice Ristock is a Professor of Women's and Gender Studies and Adjunct
Professor in the Department of Anthropology and the Disability Studies
Program. Her scholarly work reflects an overarching focus on community
mental health and social justice. Her research is in three intersecting
areas: gender and sexuality; interpersonal violence; and HIV/AIDS and
stigma. Janice's focus is on exploring the need for an analysis of
intersectionality as a framework for addressing LGBTQ relationship
violence.
Justice and Healing on the Highway of Tears: Supporting Families and Communities
Matilda Wilson was born in Hazelton and moved to Smithers when she was 9
years old. She has 3 beautiful children and 3 beautiful grand children.
Brenda Wilson is of Gitskan/Wetsuweten descent. Her father is the late
Thomas Wilson of Hagwilget (Tsay Kva) and her mother is Matilda M.
Wilson of Gitanmaxx (Hazelton). Brenda is presently studying Child and
Youth Care to acquire a Bachelors Degree. Brenda's goal in life is to
ensure answers are found in the unsolved murder cases in Northern BC.
Matilda and Brenda's focus is on providing support to families and communities
and they share how they have been advocating for answers for 17 years.
Death By Culture: Engaging Cultural Differences in the Context of Violence Against Women
Sujata Warrier is the Director of the New York State Office for the
Prevention of Domestic Violence. She has trained extensively on the
issue of sexualized violence and cultural competency including the issue
of culture, competency, and relativism. She recently authored "From
Sensitivity to Competency: Clinical and Departmental Guidelines for
Achieving Cultural Competency. Sujata's
presentation explores the notion of "culture" by providing a new
definition that includes an important focus on sexualized violence across
"culture".
To download Sujata's Keynote powerpoint, please click here.
To download Sujata's workshop powerpoint, please click here.
Understanding Safety Considerations for Immigrant, Refugee and Non-Status Women
Kamaljit Lehal is a lawyer with her own practice in Delta. She was
called to the bar in 1990. She practices immigration law,
administrative and personal injury law. In the area of immigration law
she has represented women successfully on gender persecution grounds.
She is also an alternative chair for the BC Review Board. Her
presentation elaborates on the safety considerations for immigrant, refugee and non-status women and provides an analysis of where we go from
here and what that means when working with women.
ATF 2012 Photo Gallery
CCWS Regional Coordinator Gail Edinger teaches her workshop "Domestic Violence and Children's Safety with a Focus on Empowerment and Effective Communication"
A participant works on making her doll in "Introduction to STV Outreach and Multicultural Outreach Services"
Odin Books, with their fabulous sale display!
Gisela Ruebsaat (CCWS Legal Analyst) and Michelle Novakowski (CCWS Regional Coordinator), hard at work! 
The Honourable Mary McNeil, Minister of Family and Child Development, addressing the conference.
Artist Gloria Larocque with her Aboriginal Angel Dolls project, which she displayed on Friday, March 2.
A big crowd in Maureen McEvoy's "Working with Dissociation" workshop!
Dawn Wightman, from the Representative for Children and Youth's office, addresses the conference on the release of their report, Honouring Kaitlynne, Max and Cordon: Make Their Voices Heard Now.
Tracy Porteous, EVA BC's Executive Director.
Wendy Grant-John, Beverley Jacobs, Lorna Quatell, Mavis Erickson, Terry Swan and Tracy Porteous at the Aboriginal Women's Luncheon.
Cheryl Melder teaches a workshop on "Working with Women Using Substances."
Richard Rosenthal, Chief Civilian Director of the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia, addresses the conference's attendees.
Another big crowd in Sujata Warrier's workshop, "Death by Culture: Achieving Cultural Competency in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases."
Keynote and workshop presenter Brenda Wilson poses with Jamie Taras and Dean Valli of the BC Lions and EVA BC "Be More Than a Bystander Campaign."