Interview with Lydia Fawcett, Co-Coordinator of End Abuse, MCC B.C.
Posted by
Read Vancouver Guardian’s interview with Lydia Fawcett about the work of MCC B.C.’s End Abuse Program at the link below.
Audio interview with Karen McAndless-Davis: Intimate partner abuse amidst the COVID pandemic
Posted byThis one hour recording is a conversation with Karen McAndless Davis, author of the book When Love Hurts: A Woman’s Guide to Understanding Abuse in Relationships. This interview focuses on the potential impacts of the COVID 19 on those living with abusive partners, strategies for coping, staying safe, accessing support, as well as how we can extend care to those in our lives who we may be concerned about.
This is a brand-new experiment for us as we learn how to do our work remotely. We hope this resource will be of benefit and encouragement to those who are either experiencing family violence personally, or are supporting a family member, friend, neighbour, or co-worker during this challenging and disorienting time.
Click on the three vertical dots beside the recording to download.
Resources:
- www.whenlovehurts.ca
- www.sheltersafe.ca
- 3 Considerations for Supporting Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence During the COVID 19 Pandemic
Read “The Holy Hush in Our Backyards: Family Violence and the Church” written by Dr. Val Hiebert
Posted byMCC Manitoba’s Abuse Response and Prevention Co-Coordinator, Val Hiebert, recently published an article titled: “The Holy Hush in our Backyards: Family Violence and the Church. The article was originally published in Didaskalia, an academic peer reviewed journal out of Providence Theological Seminary. We are excited that they granted us permission to share it with you here as well.
Family violence is often hidden within evangelical churches. Val’s article is informed by interviews, research, and her personal experience hearing countless disclosures of abuse whilst teaching at a seminary in Manitoba. The article highlights the troubling rates of abuse in southeastern Manitoba and examines why this issue is often silenced in Christian contexts. Some of these reasons include the idealization of the Christian family, the use of vague language to downplay abuse, untrained pastors, and the misuse of forgiveness to keep women in abusive marriages. It also explores factors contributing to high abuse rates, such as teachings on female submission, divorce, and male authority in the church.
We are so grateful for Val Hiebert’s scholarship around the painful reality of family violence which affects so many women and children, both within and outside faith communities. It is our hope and prayer that with greater awareness and education, churches can become places that actively work to prevent abuse, prioritize safety, and foster pathways for healing and justice.
“When Love Hurts” Podcast
Posted byWe are excited to announce the upcoming release of a brand-new audio series sponsored by MCC. When Love Hurts is a powerful podcast that exposes the reality about men’s abuse of women—what it is, why it happens, and how we can respond. Hosted by Jill Cory and Karen McAndless-Davis, authors of the influential book When Love Hurts, the show draws from their decades of frontline experience supporting women and educating communities…..(click link below to read more).
New Resource: A Guide for Responding to Congregational Sexual Harassment and Abuse
Posted byThis guide was developed to help churches respond to situations of interpersonal sexual harm not involving leaders or children. Churches who use this guide should publicly commit to its’ implementation and inform their community on how concerns or disclosures of sexual harassment and abuse will be handled. One of the ways we can make churches safer places, both in terms of prevention and response, is by clearly and publicly communicating policies, processes, and supports . This guide lays out clear options for assistance and intervention in ways that center the voice and agency of those harmed, and respect the dignity and rights of all parties involved.
Stay tuned for a public webinar on how to best use this guide.
Stay tuned for a public webinar on how to use this guide.
Theatre of the Beat releases UNMUTE podcast – a radio drama exploring the impact of COVID 19 on intimate partner violence
Posted byUNMUTE premiered in recognition of domestic violence awareness month in November 2020. UNMUTE is a forum theatre piece, by Theatre of the Beat, that addresses the rise of domestic violence and gender-based assault during COVID-19.
What originally began as a 4-show run in the fall of 2020, turned into a 22 show run in 2021 that spanned provinces across Canada.
Over 1000 households watched, we had viewers tuning in from all over the globe and we worked with 12 different organizations aimed towards assisting women and children experiencing violence at home.
The resource package from the show you can access it here.
We are excited to share that Theatre of the Beat has released UNMUTE in the form of a podcast. The podcast will span 6 episodes and take a deeper look at what we can do as active bystanders for friends and families experiencing violence at home.
You can find it on most major streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and many more!
Watch Recordings From Our Webinar Series on Domestic Violence
Posted byThis webinar series took place as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Our hope is that these presentations will encourage and equip faith leaders, pastors, and counsellors to respond to situations of domestic violence in their communities in ways that are prioritize safety, healing, and transformation.
Understanding Domestic Violence: Forms, Dynamics, and Myths
Presenters: Dr: Zita Somakoko, Breaking the Silence on Domestic Violence, Jaymie Friesen, Abuse Response and Prevention Coordinator MCC Manitoba
Presentation Slides
Domestic Abuse Community Resource Map – Winnipeg, MB
How to Support Women Experiencing Abuse
Presenter: Karen McAndless-Davis – Therapist, Co-Author of “When Love Hurts“
Please be sure to check out Karen’s website: WhenLoveHurts.ca and particularly the newly released Best Practices Guide and Curriculum:
Presentation Slides
Toward Change, Healing and Restoration – a model for communities/churches to follow in supporting both abusive and abused partners.
Working with Men Who Have Been Abusive
Presenter: Magi Cooper – Hakomi Therapist, Right Use of Power Trainer, Author of Respectful Futures Curriculum
Evolve Family Violence Counselling – Winnipeg, Klinic Community Health
Respectful Futures Curriculum – Shaping Healthy Relationships resources consist of six modules, which may be used in schools and the community with the various modules being delivered to all ages but with an age-relevant approach.
Now Offering: Active Bystander Training (TAB)
Posted byMCC is licensced to offer Active Bystander Training (TAB). This training teaches participants how best to intervene when they witness to abusive, isolating or stigmatizing behaviour.
It is suitable for school groups, faith communities, and organizations seeking to promote safer communities through direct, non-violent action.
We have trainers in our BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario offices. Currently we are offering this training online. For more details go the our contact page to connect with the office in your province.
This program is delivered in partnership with Quabbin Mediation and made possible by funding from the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation.
COVID 19 and Intimate Partner Abuse
Posted byFor people living with an abusive partner, staying home and avoiding all unnecessary contact with family and friends amidst the COVID 19 pandemic could be extremely unsafe. We must remember that not everybody lives in safety and often a crisis of this nature will exacerbate the abuse someone is already experiencing.
Please read the following article for insights and strategies on how to cope and stay safe during this time. Know that you not alone if the COVID 19 crisis has impacted the tactics your partner uses to control, isolate, and frighten you.
Emergency women’s shelters in Canada remain open. Please go to ShelterSafe to see where a women’s shelter is located near you. Each province and territory has crisis lines you can call if you are experiencing intimate partner violence and need support. See the list here.
Further resources
If Your Are Locked Down With Someone Who May Become Violent