Family Violence Initiative

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

INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Family Violence Interventions

Program Name:

Women's Family Violence Program

Organization/Community:

Women's Family Violence Program

Location:

Ohsweken, Ontario

Website:

www.ganohkwasra.ca

Goals and Objectives:

To provide for the stabilization, maintenance, revitalization and enhancement of the family structure in a culturally sensitive manner, reducing vulnerability to violence and abuse.

Target Group Description:

Women identifying as Six Nation members

Program Description:

Clients are treated in group and individual sessions that combine mainstream counselling techniques with Ogweho:weh teachings. The counselling is offered on two levels. The first being a psycho-educational 12 week program. The second being an intensive (inner child) program. The program seeks to achieve its goal through advocacy and referral support, developing client education and awareness, case conferences, psycho dramatic bodywork, safe emotional release work, art and play therapy techniques, massage therapy, meditation and relaxation techniques and energy therapy techniques. Traditional Haudenosaunee teachings are central to all counselling.

Program Successes/Impact:

Increasing the safety of women who have been through the program.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

Obtaining funding and working with limited human resources.

Program in operation since:

1998.

Program:

Ongoing.