Dealing with domestic violence

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

For almost four years Wanda McGinnis has filled a special role in Strathmore, helping those affected by domestic violence. McGinnis is the Domestic Violence Coordinator for Strathmore.
Karen Pease, executive director for the Community Crisis Society, said it began when community agencies gathered together and invited Homefront’s executive director, Kevin McNichol, to talk about the community domestic response that occurs in Calgary.
“At that time, a new provincial funding initiative, the Safe Communities Grant, was available for a three year pilot project. We were one of the fortunate recipients of the grant. It took innovation of the local agencies, in particular the RCMP who agreed to have a social worker enter their work space and work alongside them, as well as the crown prosecutor and children services,” said Pease.
“It has become a model for other rural communities in the province. It shows what a difference a group of service providers can make to the families they work with when they collaborate in a different way.”
“One of the biggest challenges is being a social worker in a police environment because the working relationship is based on trust and it can be tough being the outsider coming in,” said McGinnis.
“We have to believe we are working toward the same goal, which is to stop domestic violence in our community. Our mandates have us approaching it from different perspectives. Although the work we do is very different, we are both working toward the same end result. Having strong working relationships is very important. Staff Sgt. Kevin Reilly was instrumental in helping with that.”
There are similar programs in other communities around Alberta, including Calgary, Red Deer, Airdrie, St. Paul and Lac La Biche.
The program is all about collaboration and partnership, and the key partners are the RCMP, the Community Crisis Society, Children’s Services, probation, the crown prosecutor’s office, defense and then the victim and offender.
Where McGinnis comes in is she touches base with everybody involved with that family, looking at what some of the key concerns are, planning around risk, and safety planning. She’ll discuss community resources and supports so that once the criminal process is done the family is stronger because of who they have been able to access.
“One of the things we want to do is involve the victim in the whole court process, so that their voice is heard, and their planning is heard. If they intend on reconciling with their partner after charges, we want to be able to make sure that happens safely,” said McGinnis.
She said the goal is to make sure the victim is engaged in the whole process, so that if she or he wants to reconcile, they can make sure it’s happening safely.
“They’re really clear that I’m not a police officer, that I’m a social worker and there to help. So I generally get a different kind of information than what the police are getting anyway,” said McGinnis. “So if she is nervous, or if things are starting to feel like they once did, she’s pretty candid with me.”
When making a report for the crown and the courts, there are three parts to the recommendations that she makes. First she highlights what the risk factors are, based on what victim is identifying, and what the offender is identifying, and any other ones the community might have highlighted. For example, if there are particular concerns the constable might have had or the community had.
The second part is what does the victim want? So if she never wants to see him again then McGinnis will make that very clear to the crown.
“I’m always kind of clear that when the dust settles it really truly is going to be he and she left, with their children, so if she is telling me right from the beginning she wants to reconcile with him, then I have to feel confident she knows what she needs and all I can do for her is make sure she is educated, she is supported and that she understands the risk, and she understands the impact on her children,” said McGinnis.
If she does want to see him again, then that too is also made clear to the crown.
The third is whether there are any particular concerns by any agency involved, for example Children’s Services, if they feel there are real protection concerns around this family reuniting then that is something she also definitely lets the crown know.
The nature and number of high-risk files are getting worse and domestic violence is seen in all communities.
“One thing I would feel confident saying is that, we are seeing a different level of risk. I have worked in domestic violence my entire career and I would say that the number of high-risk families is increasing,” said McGinnis.
She doesn’t just work with the victim, she also works with the offender and tries to help the family from every end.
“Most of them want to be a better person, a better husband, a better dad, and they’re willing to do just about anything. I do the same kinds of things with them, talk to them about risk and about what can happen, about the effects on their children, and about giving them new tools,” said McGinnis.
“So how do I give you new ways to respond and communicate with your family so that they’re not afraid of you, so they’re not afraid of what might happen.”
Often in her experience offenders are really willing to do that. If there are drug, alcohol or mental health issues then it can be more complicated, but even people with multilevel problems are still willing to take a good look at themselves.
When studying to become a social worker McGinnis remembers saying she never wanted to work in domestic violence. By happenstance, she knew Pease who told asked McGinnis to come and work at the shelter where it was flexible hours and could work with having a family.
“I went and did it, and it’s my passion. I just believe there’s hope, and I believe that if families know there’s a better way then anything is possible,” said McGinnis.
“I think often what happens is we work with families who this is all they know, they came from homes where there was domestic violence it becomes their normal, they seek out the people that bring out the worst in them and I think that with better tools they can actually bring out more positives in each other.
“So my real motivation is that their kids can learn that there is a different way.”
Current funding is through the provincial Civil Forfeiture Fund. McGinnis hopes that the value of the program is seen outside of the people working directly with the victims, and that it becomes a permanent fixture in the community, without needing a tragedy to occur to make that happen.