Workshops

This session will start with a summary of the most recent research and practice knowledge about interventions aimed at ending men's abusive behaviour. How effective can we expect our programs to be? What aspects of programming lead to the most positive outcomes? What skills and knowledge do we need to develop as service providers? Following this summary, we will take some time to explore key issues arising in the work. Together, we will identify some common challenges and share how programs across the province are innovating to solve them.

Trauma-and Violence-Informed Care (TVIC) is a key dimension, along with substance use health and cultural safety, of equity-oriented care. TVIC focuses on making care encounters as safe as possible for people who have experienced trauma, including all forms of interpersonal violence, as well as historical and structural violence, with specific attention to stigma and discrimination. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the foundations, key elements and advantages of TVIC, with a focus on integrating practical resources, tools and strategies to strengthen their own practice, enhance organizational responses, and promote broader adoption of TVIC when supporting those using violence in relationships.

Chaque personne occupe des rôles qui influencent la façon dont elle se perçoit — et dont elle est perçue par les autres. Dans cette session percutante, nous explorerons comment les rôles que nous attribuons et endossons peuvent soit perpétuer des cycles de violence, soit devenir des catalyseurs de changement. Ancrée dans les principes de la valorisation des rôles sociaux, cette présentation mettra en lumière le lien profond entre les rôles dévalorisés, l’identité et les comportements violents — et comment transformer ces rôles peut ouvrir la voie à la dignité, au sens, et à la non-violence.

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Every person occupies roles that shape how they see themselves—and how they are seen by others. In this powerful session, we will explore how the roles we assign and assume can either perpetuate cycles of harm or become catalysts for change. Grounded in the principles of Social Role Valorization, this presentation will examine the deep connection between devalued roles, identity, and violent behaviour—and how shifting these roles can open pathways to dignity, purpose, and non-violence.

The mission of the Caring Dads program is to work with fathers to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and their mothers. This workshop is an opportunity for professionals to explore best practices when working with fathers who cause harm to their families.  This workshop will include an overview of “what is the Caring Dads program” as well as front line practice tools to learn how to engage abusive fathers to change their behaviours through a domestic violence informed lens. 

This advanced practice workshop will delve into the therapeutic theories and strategies used in the treatment of individuals who cause harm through gender-based violence (GBV) in intimate relationships. The session will emphasize practical applications in both group and individual therapy settings, providing participants with advanced tools to engage with these individuals effectively. Drawing from evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Narrative Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), this workshop will equip practitioners with specialized techniques to address harmful behaviors while fostering meaningful change.

The criminal justice system can unintentionally exacerbate the trauma and risk associated with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). This workshop is designed to equip service providers with practical knowledge of legal frameworks and procedures to better advocate for survivors. Participants will explore how to encourage trauma-informed, risk-sensitive responses from the justice system, particularly in high-risk or potentially lethal IPV cases. Strategies will also be discussed for supporting survivors who are criminalized for self-defensive actions.

This highly interactive session will cover the fundamentals of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Behavioural Threat Assessment and Management. Attendees will learn about various tools used to assess an individual’s risk for future IPV, including the Brief Spousal Assault Form for the Evaluation of Risk (B-SAFER).  Risk mitigation and management strategies will be discussed, and attendees will be encouraged to share their experiences managing and mitigating the criminogenic factors that perpetrators of IPV often present.  Attendees will have the option to participate in live polls, surveys, scenarios, and question and answer forums to enhance learning.