Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence
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The Brenda Strafford Chair in the Prevention of Domestic Violence created Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence. Shift's goal is to significantly reduce and prevent domestic violence in Alberta. The name Shift represents the spirit of this innovative project designed to create transformational change using a primary prevention approach to stop first-time victimization and perpetration of domestic violence. In short, primary prevention means taking action to build resilience and prevent problems before they occur.
The purpose of Shift’s research is: to contribute to building a primary prevention framework in Alberta; and to enhance the capacity of policy makers, systems leaders, clinicians, service providers and the community at large, to significantly reduce the rates of domestic violence in Alberta. We are committed to making our research accessible and working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders, to inform and influence current and future domestic violence prevention efforts, through the perspective of primary prevention.
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Item Open Access Domestic Violence in Ethno-Cultural Communities: Risk and Protective Factors(2011-06) Wells, Lana; Abboud, Rida; Claussen, CarolineThis literature review identifies the risk and protective factors for domestic violence with women in ethno-cultural communities in Canada.Item Open Access Research in the Calgary Aboriginal Community(2011-11) Wells, Lana; Goulet, SharonIn light of the fact that Aboriginal women face a significantly higher risk of spousal violence and homicide than non-Aboriginal women, this study aimed to examine the risk and protective factors, definitions, and best practice in the area of Aboriginal communities and domestic violence prevention. In addition, through the research process, it was our hope to identify community readiness and momentum for primary prevention work.Item Open Access Engaging the News Media to Influence Attitudes, Norms and Behaviours and Reduce the Rates of Domestic Violence(2012-04) Wells, Lana; Koziey, Lynne; Ferguson, JanayThis document is the first step in a larger exploration of how best to engage the Canadian media to influence societal attitudes, norms and behaviours around the prevention of domestic violence. Research shows that the vast majority of the public receives information regarding social issues and world affairs through news media channels. Further, it is suggested that the Canadian news media inappropriately reports on instances of domestic violence, thereby influencing attitudes of the general public and policy makers. This paper suggests that if news media professionals were better educated about domestic violence and how to appropriately report on instances of domestic violence, and legislation encouraged the media to report on domestic violence in a particular way, public opinion and attitudes may be influenced.Item Open Access Preventing Domestic Violence in Alberta: A Cost Savings Perspective(2012-06) Wells, Lana; Boodt, Casey; Emery, HerbRecent studies show that Alberta has the second highest rate of self reported spousal violence in Canada. Rates of violence against women alone are 2.3 percentage points higher than the national average. In fact, every hour of every day, a woman in Alberta will undergo some form of interpersonal violence from an ex-partner or ex-spouse. Besides the devastating toll that domestic violence has on victims and their families, the ongoing cost to Albertans is significant. In the past five years alone it is estimated that over $600 million has been spent with $521 million coming directly from taxpayers. Fortunately, investment in quality prevention and intervention initiatives can be very cost effective, returning as much as $20 for every dollar invested.Item Open Access Using the General Social Survey to Monitor Domestic Violence in Alberta: Considerations for the Government of Alberta(2012-06) Wells, Lana; Boodt, Casey; Claussen, CarolineThis document explores whether material included in the ongoing Statistics Canada General Social Survey can provide the benchmarking and monitoring data needed to determine the success of domestic violence prevention and intervention initiatives in Alberta. Specific recommendations are offered.Item Open Access Home Visitation as a Domestic Violence Prevention Strategy: A Discussion Paper for the Government of Alberta(2012-06) Wells, Lana; Claussen, CarolineShift was asked to research existing Government of Alberta programs and initiatives that could be enhanced or modified to support a reduction in domestic violence rates. As a result of this research, enhancing the Government of Alberta's home visitation program was identified as a key tactic in the prevention of domestic violence.Item Open Access Domestic & Sexual Violence: A Background Paper on Primary Prevention Programs and Frameworks(2012-06) Wells, Lana; Claussen, Caroline; Cooper, MerrillThis report provides an overview of domestic violence and prevention definitions, risk and protective factors, and focuses particular attention on the domestic and sexual violence primary prevention frameworks being developed locally, nationally and internationally. In addition, the report provides a brief overview of relevant evidence-based practices in violence reduction. Points of consideration are offered in each section, allowing further reflection of the information in consideration of Alberta’s local context.Item Open Access How Public Policy and Legislation Can Support the Prevention of Domestic Violence in Alberta(2012-06) Wells, Lana; Dozois, Elizabeth; Cooper, Merrill; Claussen, Caroline; Lorenzetti, Liza; Boodt, CaseyThis paper proposes specific, evidence-informed program and policy amendments and initiatives to enhance the Government of Alberta's family violence prevention strategy. The report suggests an increased focus on primary prevention in policy, legislation and resource allocations, will support the objective of significantly reducing rates of domestic violence in Alberta.Item Open Access Surveying the Landscape: Domestic Violence Plans from Around the World(2012-10) Wells, Lana; Claussen, Caroline; Sandham, SarahShift conducted a scoping review of domestic violence plans from around the world that identified common theories, strategies and actions that can be found in province/state and community wide plans. This report helped to inform the new Government of Alberta's “Family Violence Hurts Everyone: A Framework to End Family Violence in Alberta”.Item Open Access Family Violence Hurts Everyone: A Framework to End Family Violence in Alberta 2013-‐2018(2012-11) Wells, Lana; Strafford, Brenda; Ferguson, Janay; Government of Alberta, Interdepartmental Committee on Family Violence and BullyingIn 2011, Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence, was engaged by the Government of Alberta to bring forward research in prevention science and contribute to the redesign of their family violence prevention framework: Family Violence Hurts Everyone: A Framework to End Family Violence in Alberta. A significant portion of the content within the Framework is based upon research conducted by Lana Wells, the Brenda Strafford Chair at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary along with Janay Ferguson, Elizabeth Dozois, Caroline Claussen, Liza Lorenzetti, Casey Boodt, Merrill Cooper and Elena Esina. The strategies are rooted in evidence and incorporate primary prevention approaches to move “upstream” and prevent violence from happening in the first place. The Brenda Strafford Chair submitted a source document to the Government of Alberta in November 2012. Highlights of the source document include: Promoting gender equality, reducing poverty, strengthening Albertan’s connections and social networks, and building parenting skills all contribute to preventing and reducing family violence. Investing in evidence-based programs such as Home Visitation, Violence Prevention and Healthy Youth Relationship programs, and Parenting programs is key to healthy relationships Ending corporal punishment and supporting parents to use positive discipline is a key strategy in prevention Working with men and boys as leaders and allies in family violence prevention with an explicit role in supporting positive father involvement is key to significantly reducing rates of violence Focusing on preventing dating violence because of the escalating rates Supporting the supporters – investing in helping friends, families and neighours recognize, respond and refer as the majority of Albertans go to them first Recognizes the diversity of Albertans (e.g., Aboriginal peoples, immigrants, refugees, newcomers and ethno-cultural communities, disabled people, GLBTQ, victims of sexual violence), thus recommended a targeted approach that must be in consultation with key leaders from these communities Identified a need for a sexual violence action plan and more resources in this area as a key prevention strategyItem Open Access A Context of Domestic Violence: Learnings for Prevention from the Calgary Filipino Community(International Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies, 2013) Wells, Lana; Hurlock, Debb; Antonio, Marichu; Lantion, Vic; Abboud, Rida; Claussen, Caroline; Lorenzetti, LizaThere is a lack of interpretive research in the domestic violence literature and, in particular, within an ethnocultural context. Interviews were held with four Filipina women in Calgary, Alberta who had previously been in violent relationships, in combination with a referral group of key informants with leadership and knowledge of community issues related to domestic violence. By adopting a phenomenological approach to the research, it was hoped that new understandings of what is identified in clinical paradigms as the “risk” and “protective” factors associated with domestic violence would be unearthed. This research study is at once exploratory and informative and is intended to contribute to the development of a province-wide plan to address and prevent domestic violence through the Brenda Strafford Chair in the Prevention of Domestic Violence at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary.Item Open Access Primary Prevention of Sexual Violence: Preliminary Research(2013-01) Wells, Lana; Claussen, Caroline; Aubrey, Danielle; Ofrim, JennyThe Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS) and Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence acknowledge that domestic violence and sexual violence are interconnected. They have joined together to facilitate a discussion about primary prevention of sexual violence, and to support the development of a sexual violence and sexual health action plan for Alberta. This report has several objectives: 1. To understand the scope of sexual violence both internationally, nationally and locally, as well as the factors that both prevent and contribute to sexual violence; 2. To identify theories and paradigms that are currently being used to understand sexual violence, as well as approaches and models used to develop sexual violence primary prevention strategies in other jurisdictions; and 3. To present the best available research evidence in the area of sexual violence primary prevention that makes sense in the Alberta context.Item Open Access Developing a Strategic and Coordinated Approach to Violence Prevention Programming for Children and Youth in Calgary(2013-01) Wells, Lana; Claussen, Caroline; Abboud, Rida; Pauls, MonicaThe purpose of this research is threefold: 1) to provide an overview of research pertaining to best and promising practices in the area of violence prevention programming for children and youth; 2) to provide an analysis of children- and youth-focused violence prevention programs currently offered by non-profit organizations in Calgary, Alberta; and 3) to provide recommendations to inform subsequent phases for developing a strategic coordinated community approach to violence prevention programming for children and youth in Calgary.This research identified various types of violence prevention programming offered throughout Calgary, specifically identifying the differences between school and community-based programs and universal/targeted approaches.Item Open Access Surveying the Landscape: Sexual Violence Plans from Around the World(2013-01) Wells, Lana; Claussen, Caroline; Aubrey, Danielle; Ofrim, JennyThis report was created in partnership by the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS) and Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence to facilitate a discussion about primary prevention of sexual violence and to inform the development of a sexual violence and sexual health action plan for Alberta. The purpose of this research is: 1) to present a synopsis of the scoping review of sexual violence plans from around the world; 2) to provide an overview of common elements among all plans reviewed; 3) to identify areas for inclusion in a sexual violence and sexual health action plan for Alberta.Item Open Access Engaging Men and Boys in Domestic Violence Prevention: Opportunities and Promising Approaches(2013-02) Wells, Lana; Lorenzetti, Liza; Carolo, Humberto; Dinner, Tuval; Jones, Clay; Minerson, Todd; Esina, ElenaThis report outlines seven ‘entry points’ for engaging men and boys in domestic violence prevention: 1. Engaging fathers in domestic violence prevention; 2. Men’s health and domestic violence prevention; 3. The role of sports and recreation in domestic violence prevention; 4. The role of the workplace in domestic violence prevention; 5. The role of peer relationships in domestic violence prevention; 6. Men as allies in preventing domestic violence; and 7. Aboriginal healing and domestic violence prevention. This research provides an analysis of the literature and highlights 67 promising approaches in the areas of policy, programs and practices, and citizen-led initiatives.Item Open Access The Role of Alcohol Outlet Density in Reducing Domestic Violence in Alberta(2013-03) Dozois, Elizabeth; Esina, Elena; Wells, LanaIn this paper, we examine the relationship between alcohol use and domestic violence, and explore whether policy changes - in particular the regulation of liquor store density - can be effective in preventing and reducing domestic violence. This paper outlines a rationale for implementing liquor outlet density controls in Alberta and offers examples of effective research, policy and enforcement strategies from other jurisdictions. It concludes with a list of ways that municipalities in Alberta could take action.Item Open Access Promoting Positive Father Involvement: A Strategy to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence in the Next Generation(2013-09) Cooper, Merrill; Wells, Lana; Dozois, ElizabethThis research paper focuses on positive father involvement as an Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) prevention strategy, that is, a strategy to prevent IPV before those behaviors develop in the next generation. The report provides a rationale for new investments in positive father involvement strategies including specific recommendations in the areas of research, policy, and programming. This report is situated within a broader research agenda designed to build a comprehensive strategy to engage men and boys in violence prevention.Item Open Access Supporting the Supporters - How friends and families can help to prevent domestic violence(2013-09) Esina, Elena; Wells, Lana; Koziey, LynneThis paper is the first in a series examining effective societal responses to prevent domestic violence. The paper challenges the belief that domestic violence is a private matter between two people and argues that, as a result of that long-held belief, we are ignoring one of the most under-utilized prevention strategies: informal networks. While formal services and supports are critical, research shows that informal networks – including friends and family – play a pivotal role in preventing domestic violence. This issue brief explores the value of informal networks in victims’ lives, how to support those networks to respond to the needs of the victim, the perceived reluctance of many friends and family to intervene in what is often viewed as a private matter, and how organizations that specialize in domestic violence can start to build customized education programs and supports geared toward friends and families, as well as the general public. Considerations outlined in the paper focus on what domestic violence service providers and government can do, suggesting strategies to better support informal networks through intervention and primary prevention activities.Item Open Access Building a Provincial Positive Fatherhood Involvement Strategy: Results from the Nov 21, 2013 Consultation in Red Deer, Alberta(2013-12) Hansen, Brian; Wells, Lana; Dozois, ElizabethThis report summarizes the information gathered from a consultation session conducted on Thursday, November 21st, 2013, in Red Deer, Alberta. Participants included academics whose research areas include involved fathering, as well as service providers, and leaders in the community who work with fathers in a variety of capacities. Prior to the consultation, the report “Promoting Positive Father Involvement: A Strategy to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence in the Next Generation” was sent to each participant. This research paper focuses on positive father involvement as an Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) prevention strategy, that is, a strategy to prevent IPV before those behaviors develop in the next generation. The report provides a rationale for new investments in positive father involvement strategies including specific recommendations in the areas of research, policy, and programming. This report is situated within a broader research agenda designed to build a comprehensive strategy to engage men and boys in violence prevention. The goal of this full day session was to disseminate knowledge about new research and trends in positive father involvement strategies in Alberta, as well as to explore recommendations and next steps in the areas of research, policy, and programming in Alberta.Item Open Access Supporting Young Fathers as a Prevention Strategy for Stopping Intimate Partner Violence in the Next Generation: Research and Recommendations for the Louise Dean(2014-01) Cooper, Merrill; Wells, LanaThis report is situated within a broader research agenda designed to serve as a foundation for a comprehensive strategy to engage men and boys in violence prevention to reduce rates of domestic violence in Alberta. Positive fatherhood involvement was one of seven key entry points identified for engaging men and boys. Over the next two years, Shift will continue to produce research papers to support the design of a comprehensive strategy to engage men and boys in violence prevention. This research will focus on informing and changing policy and practices with the end goal of preventing domestic violence from happening in the first place. This particular report was designed to build the case for designing and implementing a best practice program to support teen/young dads at the Louise Dean Centre in Calgary, Alberta.