Family Violence Initiative
COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA
INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES
Healthy Relationships: Women
- Program Name:
Circle of Safety Violence Program
- Organization/Community:
Aboriginal Consulting Services
- Location:
Edmonton, Alberta
- Website:
- Goals and Objectives:
To promote and secure the safety of women and children through educating clients about the issue of domestic violence.
- Target Group Description:
Everyone.
- Program Description:
The program is a 20 week program, which has women's, men's, and children's circles, called teaching circles. One teaching is taught per circle, and participants learn what family violence is, as well as what parenting is, and how family violence affects parenting; children learn safety planning, and social skills development. Every six weeks, there is a parent/child circle where both learn together and a creative activity is undertaken. Ceremonies are available, (i.e. sweat lodges), but are not a requirement. The program tries to involve a generic approach to traditional healing ways, given in Cree country, but uses many other cultural teachings and ceremonies. The program also learns from the families, and participants.
- Program Successes/Impact:
The reciprocal (circular) nature of the program, as clients and staff all learn from each other.
- Key Lessons/ Challenges:
The challenge of finding ongoing funding for the program.
- Program in operation since:
2004.
- Program:
Ongoing.
- Date modified: