Family Violence Initiative

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

INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Support Networks for the Families of Missing and/or Murdered Aboriginal Women

Program Name:

Walk4Justice (W4J)

Organization/Community:

Walk4Justice

Location:

Vancouver, British Columbia

Website:

N/A

Goals and Objectives:

To create awareness and institute social change with regard to the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

Target Group Description:

Families of Missing/Murdered Women

Program Description:

The program attempts to fill in the gap left in communities where there are no services available to families of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. The W4J staff visit families of victims and provide them with referrals. Programs are developed with the goal of families, policing and services working together. As W4J works with communities across Canada they acknowledge and respect the cultural differences that define each unique community they assist.

Program Successes/Impact:

Providing families of victims with a voice. Creating awareness through cross country walks.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

As the Walkers are Aboriginal women, some of them have been lost to the violence they were opposing.

Program in operation since:

2008.

Program:

Ongoing.