The Protocol Partners agree to work together to respond to domestic and sexual violence with a focus on Five Priorities:

1. Safety and Support for Victims

The protocol partners recognize that the safety of victims of sexual and intimate partner abuse is paramount. This is true whether or not the victim chooses to be involved with the criminal justice system and/or supportive community services. Every effort is made to provide victims with the information and support they need to be safe in their homes and communities. Domestic and sexual violence is rarely a time limited issue and service providers are committed to working with individuals and families over the long term to support victim safety, even when the victim is reluctant to acknowledge or does not understand the risks.

2. System Navigation

The justice and service system is complex and there are often overlaps and gaps in services and supports. Many people who come into these systems are unprepared for the complexity and the number of agencies and people that come into their lives as a result of sexual and/or domestic violence issues. Both sexual and domestic violence are deeply personal issues and are often surrounded by shame and silence, and people may not know that they are pervasive and common problems for many people.

Protocol partners work with victims and perpetrators to:

• Link them with community and family supports

• Provide them with information and assistance in a non-judgmental way

• Link victims and their families with Victim Services, a key system navigator that can provide case management services.

Protocol partners work with Victim Services and other abuse specific services to bridge service gaps and help people access services and supports. Situation Tables provide case management on an ‘as needs’ basis with a referral rapid mobilization of resources and service connections to meet the immediate needs of individuals and families experiencing acutely elevated levels of risk. See Resources for information.

Actions that increase safety for victims include:

• Responding to victims in a compassionate, sensitive, and non-judgmental manner,

• Providing victims with information and making referrals to supportive services at the time of an intervention and as part of follow up,

• Ensuring that victims have a safety plan in place and that the plan is updated and supported. Click here to access a Safety Planning Tool

• Using case management approaches to support victims with complex needs. Click here to access the Situation Table

• Using legal and practical approaches to reduce risk and increase safety.

Protocol partners work together to keep victims of sexual and domestic violence and abuse safe from harm and to provide a helpful and effective service response.

3. Trauma & Violence Informed Response

See Resources / Trauma & Violence Informed Response for more information.

Trauma and violence informed care seeks to create safe environments for people dealing with sexual and intimate partner violence and abuse. It recognizes that people who have experienced trauma need to feel physically and emotionally safe. Service providers can work together to create safety and mitigate re traumatizing victims as part of the protocol response when they are aware of:

• The high prevalence of trauma and violence over the life span of many people

• The negative impact of personal and systemic trauma and violence on people’s lives

• The many ways that people cope with trauma and violence and their survival strategies, which can make it difficult for responders at times

• The relationship between trauma and violence with substance use, physical and mental health concerns, homelessness and poverty.

• Protocol partners ensure that their staff are trained and supported in trauma and violence informed responses and care.

4. Collaborative, Effective Relationships

Protocol partners value collaborative approaches and share their expertise, skills and knowledge. They recognize the sexual and domestic violence are complex and pervasive issues that no one service or service provider can ‘solve’ alone.

Protocol partners:

• Are knowledgeable about community services,

• Reach out to others, include family and community supports,

• Conduct joint investigations and interviews wherever possible to avoid having survivors needing to retell their stories and relive the trauma of their experience.

• Work in a holistic way to meet the safety and support needs of people dealing with sexual and domestic violence.

• Are respectful and appreciative in their work with others, and address problems and conflicts in a solution focused way that sustains and builds good intersector working relationships.

This protocol includes ways to address conflicts that may arise, information on the wide range of services and supports available in Grey Bruce, and details about the roles and responsibilities of the protocol partners when responding to sexual and/or domestic violence.

5. Differentiated Response

Sexual assault and domestic violence are complex issues that can carry high levels of risk and potential trauma for victims, their families and responding service providers. Every person will experience abuse and trauma in a unique way and this demands a differentiated response from service providers. The protocol partners will consider the following factors for a differentiated response:

• Gender – A differentiated response requires clarity on the gendered nature of domestic and sexual violence and positive strategies to overcome gender stereotypes.

• Economic status – A differentiated response acknowledges the barriers experienced by people living with poverty and works to address them in a respectful and supportive way. It acknowledges that people from all economic levels can experience domestic and sexual abuse.

• History of abuse and trauma – A differentiated response recognizes that the ‘presenting abuse issue’ may be only a small part of a larger cumulative experience of abuse for the person. It recognizes people may not trust systems and supports because they have not protected or respected them in the past. It focuses on safety, respect, honouring resilience and avoids actions that can re traumatize people who seek help.

• Race, racism and culture – A differentiated approach recognizes and addresses the increased risk of harm for Indigenous and visible minorities and provides a culturally appropriate service response. It provides ongoing training and supervision for workers to address racism and increase cultural competency.

• Health status, including mental health and addictions – A differentiated response recognizes that abuse and trauma are closely linked to mental health, substance abuse and physical health issues. Services and supporters work in a holistic way and collaborate with a wide range of community supports and services to meet all of the needs of people, not just the needs that fit within their service mandate. Providers recognize that survivors of abuse and trauma need both crisis and long-term interventions and support to heal.

• Disability – A differentiated response recognizes that people with disabilities are at a higher risk for sexual and domestic abuse and face discrimination and barriers to services and supports because of their disability. Providers work to remove barriers to services, accommodate needs, and work collaboratively with local services for people with disabilities.

• Sexual orientation and gender identity – A differentiated response recognizes that LGBTQ and questioning people are a risk of sexual abuse and domestic violence and can face discrimination within the service system. Providers address barriers to service, ensure that staff and volunteers are trained and supervised, and work collaboratively with the LGBTQ community to support victims and survivors.

• Age – A differentiated response recognizes that sexual assault and domestic violence can happen at any age and its impact is profound at all ages. Providers address age specific barriers to services and supports and they focus on safety, respect, and compassionate responses that support healing and trust.

• Complexity – A differentiated response recognizes that many people who deal with domestic and sexual assaults have many other complex issues in their lives – poverty, homelessness, mental health and/or substance abuse issues, a history of trauma and abuse and involvement with services over their life span, and a legacy of historical abuse. Providers work collaboratively to establish trust, support basic needs and find long term supports that will increase safety and decrease their vulnerability.