Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence

Permanent URI for this collection

https://prism.ucalgary.ca/handle/1880/100109

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.

http://preventdomesticviolence.ca

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Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 5 of 64
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    Strong women’s circle: Supporting Alberta’s primary prevention framework by mapping root causes of violence and identifying policy recommendations to stop violence against Indigenous peoples before it starts
    (2023-01) McLeod, Suzanne; Mahegun, Tails; Wells, Lana; Litviniuc, Anya
    This report informs the Alberta Primary Prevention Framework Collaborative project, a partnership between Shift, the Government of Alberta, and the IMPACT collective, focused on advancing upstream primary prevention efforts to stop violence before it starts. The research report centers Indigenous Peoples experiences and outlines primary prevention solutions that address the root causes of violence and promote systemic change. It builds on the rich work that has been accomplished by Indigenous researchers and activists from across Canada and reflects the expertise and lived experiences of three Indigenous researchers and eight Elders living in Alberta, who guided the research process. Created in ethical space, where Indigenous and Western worldviews came together to co-create sustainable anti-violence solutions, the report proposes five transformative changes to achieve Indigenous sovereignty along with a list of reforms for six systems that increase Indigenous Peoples’ vulnerability to violence: justice and policing, child welfare, health, education, housing, and transportation.
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    Building a movement of men and boys committed to violence prevention and gender equality in Alberta: Informing the Alberta primary prevention framework collaborative
    (2023-01-12) Wells, Lana; Pascoe, Laura; Litviniuc, Anya
    This report informs Alberta’s next and exciting chapter of expanding work with men and boys to end violence and advance gender equality. It was written to support the Alberta Primary Prevention Framework Collaborative by providing clear and actionable strategies for Alberta’s anti-violence sector as well as the Government of Alberta. We have organized the information into three evidence-informed sections. The first section is the case for engaging men and boys along with foundational theories and approaches to help readers orient themselves in this work. The second section is directed towards the Government of Alberta, to whom we propose a much-needed provincial plan for investing in working with men and boys for a violence-free and gender-equitable Alberta. The provincial plan details how to support and advance this work in communities, organizations, and across Alberta, along with policy and legislative reforms needed to create the social conditions to enable more men and boys to prevent violence and advance gender equality. The final section is geared towards leaders and practitioners. Here, we clearly state what we aim to achieve through this work by articulating the specific change outcomes we seek and the behaviours that gender equitable, nonviolent men demonstrate. This is followed by concrete strategies, skills, and approaches for targeting men and boys, and the settings in which they live, learn, work, socialize, play, and worship to support and reinforce prosocial behaviours.
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    The Calling in Men Project FAQs on the 9 Promising Approaches for Practitioners Engaging Men in Violence Prevention and Gender Equality
    (2022-10-01) Pascoe, Laura; Wells, Lana; Dozois, Elizabeth; Baker, Elizabeth; Akbary, Hamid; Hansen, Brian
    Need a quick overview of the latest research on the bystander approach? Or ever wondered if innovative approaches like the nudge approach, virtual reality, or gamification have a valuable place in work to engage and mobilize men for violence prevention and gender equality? This document answers all your questions about key established and emergent promising approaches for working with men. Dive in, and see what is possible for getting men excited, onboard, and equipped with the necessary skills to end violence and advance gender and social equality!
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    Building a Movement: Mobilizing more men for violence prevention, gender equality, and social justice in Canada: Recommendations for the Government of Canada
    (2022-10-01) Pascoe, Laura; Wells, Lana
    The Government of Canada is committed to ending violence and advancing gender equality. To strengthen these efforts, a national strategy is urgently needed that will support the engagement and mobilization of more men and boys to stop violence before it starts and achieve gender and social justice. This report responds to Women and Gender Equality Canada’s interest in advancing this work and provides concrete and evidence-informed opportunities and recommendations to support the research, collaborations, partnerships, network-building, capacity building, processes, and funding needed to do just that. It was undertaken as part of the Calling In Men research project and builds on previous recommendations made to the Government of Canada and Women and Gender Equality Canada.
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    Opening the Door Beyond the Legal System: Understanding the Use of Alternative Justice Approaches to Sexual Violence Prevention and Healing in Canada
    (2022-06-29) Claussen, Caroline; Goulet, Sharon; Wells, Lana
    Victimization surveys suggest that one in three women in Canada and one in six men will experience some kind of sexual violence in their lifetimes. Rather than turn to the police, most victims turn to family or friends or shoulder the burden in silence. For every 1000 sexual assaults in Canada, only 33 are reported, and only 3 result in convictions of the perpetrator. The reality is the current criminal justice responses to sexual violence are not serving victims. When presented with alternatives to the traditional justice system, victims routinely choose them and experience much better outcomes with alternative justice approaches. In 2021, with support from the Canadian Women’s Foundation, Shift conducted research to better understand alternative justice approaches to sexual violence healing and prevention in Canada. By alternative justice approaches, we mean those activities and interventions that are outside the criminal legal system, that are victim and survivor-centred, trauma-informed, and promote prevention, accountability, justice, healing, and repair. The research project involved reviewing academic and grey literature, conducting an environmental scan, and interviewing advocates and practitioners who engage in this work. Through these three data collection methodologies, principles, practices, training, and activities have been identified, along with a series of recommendations to continue to grow and support this area of practice.