Community action
PREMISE
Intervention with men is part of the solution to domestic violence.
ORGANIZATION’S MANDATE
To prevent domestic violence through interventions with men experiencing relationship problems or couple breakdown, irrespective of their sexual orientation.
FOUR COURSES OF ACTION
1. TAKE ACTION WITH MEN EXPERIENCING RELATIONSHIP DIFFICULTIES BEFORE PROBLEMS OCCUR
- Through early detection of problems
- By reducing risk factors
- By detecting situations at risk of violence
- By improving protective factors
- By working to achieve greater autonomy
2. ADVANCE PROMOTION AND AWARENESS STRATEGIES
By fostering the prevention of violence between individuals through:
- Respect for individual differences
- Non-violent resolution of conflicts
- Use of peaceful behaviours
- Development of collaborative relationships
- Egalitarian relations between individuals
By promoting social change through the reduction of gender-based alienation and greater equality among men and women, as well as among groups of men themselves.
By raising awareness of the damaging effects and consequences of socialization based on sexism, patriarchy, homophobia and heterosexism.
By raising awareness of the various factors related to domestic violence, including social and cultural values.
By sensitizing men to the various forms of domestic violence and their impact on their partners, their children and themselves.
3. STRENGTHEN THE CONTINUUM OF SERVICES FOR MEN WITH RESPECT TO VIOLENCE
Strengthen the continuum of services: in terms of the services provided
By intervening with men experiencing relationship problems or relationship breakdown in order to reduce the risk of domestic violence.
By offering support services to men suffering from domestic violence.
By making available a quick support and orientation service at both the psychosocial and legal information level.
By providing an intake and evaluation service in the days following the making of an appointment.
By making available group services that enable the reduction of risk factors, including isolation and social fragility.
By carrying out individual follow-ups allowing for ongoing intervention in accordance with any change in domestic circumstances.
By conducting information activities to raise awareness among men and make them more accountable in respect to violence within domestic relationships.
By ensuring that interventions respect the procedures instituted by the organization and follow professional standards.
By maintaining co-operation among the organization’s caseworkers through team meetings in order to protect the psychosocial and socio-legal relationship in all interventions.
By ensuring continuous improvement in the quality of interventions and services (evaluation tools, clinical support mechanisms, and so on).
By ensuring the development of staff members’ skills, as outlined in their annual performance evaluation.
Strengthen the continuum of services: in terms of interventions with men
By encouraging the adaptation of interventions according to various male realities.
By encouraging the availability of services to men from various ethno-cultural communities.
By ensuring support to vulnerable male clienteles (men with chronic illnesses, mental health problems or disabilities, seniors, etc.).
By intervening in a concerted manner and by promoting real cross-sectoral collaboration.
Strengthen the continuum of services: in terms of interventions in matters of domestic violence
By continually evaluating the risk factors for violence towards oneself or others.
By intervening rapidly and in a professional manner, following an ethical decision, with regard to the action to be taken following the assessment of a serious and immediate danger.
By making men experiencing relationship problems accountable for their behaviour.
By encouraging men with relationship problems to strengthen parental behaviours that are conducive to their children’s well-being.
By encouraging concerted interventions, the search for solutions through alliances with the community and a true cross-sectoral collaboration with networks involved in the field of domestic violence.
By contributing to the continuity of services through a network of integrated services for men with respect to domestic violence.
4. COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
By working in collaboration with decision makers and other players.
By participating in the development of expertise in the prevention of domestic violence.
By participating in the development of expertise in intervening with men involved in domestic violence.
By participating in training, conference, research or internship activities.
By being involved in carrying out community projects.
By encouraging the development of social and socio-legal prevention and support services for various male populations.
By supporting the establishment and implementation of a network of integrated services reflecting gender-based analysis and specific male needs.
By supporting community co-operation, as well as social integration and solidarity.
