Guiding Systemic Responses to Survivors of Gender-Based Violence Through Risk Assessment: A Survivor-Centric Approach

• Identify current practices in risk assessment, risk mitigation and safety planning for survivors of gender-based violence;
• Identify gaps in risk assessment, risk mitigation and safety planning for survivors of gender-based violence;
• Create and test promising practices in risk assessment, risk mitigation and safety planning for survivors of violence available for free in English and French;
• Generate evidence that demonstrates the efficiency and effectiveness of promising practices;
• Develop Blueprints and make them available for other organizations to replicate and adapt to their local context;
• Develop and deliver in-person and online training of the project’s main findings and deliverables with multimedia training modules in both English and French.

Between 2021-2022, the Clinic engaged in research and outreach consultations with 597 service providers who participated through a national series of consultation forums, an online survey offered in both official languages, and knowledge exchange opportunities.

The objectives of the research were to:

• Understand current risk assessment and safety planning practices being used by GBV service providers across Canada.
• Collect feedback from service providers on their experiences using risk assessment tools to support diverse populations.
• Consult with service providers on ways to improve risk assessment tools and practices to ensure that they are trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and intersectional in their approach.

Overall, the research found an “unequal patchwork” of risk assessment and safety planning practices across Canada. We found significant variation in the extent to which service providers are using formal risk assessment tools, along with differences in which tools were used across different settings. Participants also identified significant limitations in available tools and wanted more holistic and trauma-informed tools adaptable to their service provider settings. 

You can read more about the project’s consultations with GBV service providers in our Research Bulletin I: “An Unequal Patchwork: Research on Risk Assessment & Safety Planning with Service Providers Across Canada.”

Between 2021-2022, the Clinic conducted a series of consultations with survivors of gender-based violence to understand their experiences and needs when assessing risks and to plan for their safety. A total of 38 survivors participated in the consultations using two consultation modalities. A Community Engagement Working Group (CEWG) brought together 9 survivors from diverse backgrounds to participate in 9 consultation sessions over an 8-month period. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were also conducted with 29 individual participants. The survivors whom we consulted had much to share and provided essential recommendations and insights into developing the project tools.

You can read more about the project’s consultations with people with lived experience in our Research Bulletin II: “Gender-Based Violence Survivors’ Voices and Experiences: Risk Assessment & Safety Planning.”

The project team conducted extensive literature and environmental scans that informed the development of the project’s tools and resources for risk assessment and safety planning.

Highlights of the project’s research are included below for educational purposes and not for commercial use. Please cite or quote the Clinic’s research appropriately.

Documents:

• Risk Assessment Tools Literature Review
• List of Risk Assessment Tools: National and International
• List of similar projects and initiatives
• Risk Assessment Tools Resource List
• Safety Planning Tools Resource List
• Research Bulletin I: “An Unequal Patchwork: Research on Risk Assessment & Safety Planning with Service Providers Across Canada.” *Coming Soon*
• Research Bulletin II: “Gender-Based Violence Survivors’ Voices and Experiences: Risk Assessment & Safety Planning.” *Coming Soon*

The Clinic has partnered with several organizations and GBV experts to provide advice and support during different stages of the project. In addition, several Schlifer Clinic staff have been actively involved with the project.

Project Leadership Team:

• Deepa Mattoo – Executive Director
• Patricia Coelho – Project Coordinator
• Salina Abji – Consultant

Project Advisory Committee:

The project’s advisory committee is comprised of 10-12 GBV experts who have partnered with the Clinic to achieve project goals.

Current Advisory Members include:

• Amanda Dale – Non-Profit Executive, Legal Scholar and Consultant
• Abi Ajibolade – Executive Director – The Redwood Shelter
• Janet Mosher – Associate Professor – Osgoode Hall Law School– York University
• Julie Lassonde – Lawyer and Mediator
• Lise Martin – Executive Director – Women’s Shelters Canada
• Megan Stephen – Criminal & Constitutional Lawyer
• Myrna Dawson – Professor of Sociology and Research Leadership Chair -University of Guelph. Director, Centre for the Study of Social and Legal Responses to Violence 
• Sajedeh Zahraei – Senior Manager of Professional Development and Training – OCASI
• Sheila Macdonald – Director, Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres

Project Support Team:

• Eleni Poulosofos – Events support/ Research revision and copy editing
• Faith-Ann Mendes – National Forum Support
• Gilda Pikelin – Community Engagement Working Group
• Maricela Lozano – Interpreter Services Support
• MaryBeth Durante – Interpreter Services Support
• Pamela Rice – Events and communications support
• Shalini Devarajah – Events and communications support

External project contributors:

• Alm Sutana – Art Design
• Ashley Major – Research Assistant
• Aruna Boodram – National Forum Guest Speaker
• Brittany Datchko – Graphic Recordings Design
• Leah Brockie – Research Assistant
• Seema Hooda – Research Assistant
• Seema Kawar – Research Assistant    

The Clinic also expresses gratitude to past Clinic staff and students who contributed to different stages of the project:

Staff:  Divya Khurana, Elsie Ikhariale, Karine Silverwoman, Kirubalini Giruparajah, Premila Chellapermal, Tiffany Lau, and Sofia Johnson.

Students: Adrianna Mills, Alex Da Dalt, Alexandra Tamiko, Alison Scwenk, Krystal Tsotsos, Michelle Monteith, and Sabrina Sukhdeo.

The public can also stay informed about the project through this website and the Clinic’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).

To book our Project Coordinator for a guest speaking opportunity, or to connect with us about potential partnership opportunities, please contact our project coordinator.