Family Violence Initiative

COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA

HISTORICAL LEGACY

Healing and Renewal of Family Roles and Responsibilities

Program Name:

Paqtnkek First Nation Women's Group to End Family Violence

Organization/Community:

Paqtnkek First Nation

Location:

Paqtnkek First Nation, Nova Scotia

Website:

N/A

Goals and Objectives:

To design and implement community domestic violence intervention programs.

Target Group Description:

Everyone.

Program Description:

The program teaches clients family skills, what options there are in the court system, and supports families through the reconciliation process. It also offers anger management programs for men and women and access to legal aid lawyers - when necessary - to speak with families and provide public legal education seminars. The program works to educate the community regarding the role of the RCMP in domestic violence situations and encourages community policing as well. Elders participate in the program on a regular basis and help provide a traditional cultural component to all of the programming.

Program Successes/Impact:

The raising of public awareness in the community. The development of internal resources in a very small community. Improvement of cultural capacity in non-Aboriginal programs.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

Fear of child apprehension if violence is reported. Providing confidentiality in a small community is a challenge.

Program in operation since:

2010.

Program:

Ongoing.