Canadian Minister of Health Patty Hajdu says $750,000 in funding for McMaster University will support a project to Prepare Providers to Recognize and Respond to Family Violence.
She says family violence remains a serious issue in Canada and has long-lasting impacts on the physical and mental health of survivors. She adds violence of any kind is unacceptable, and the Government of Canada is taking action to help those affected by family violence and the service providers who support them.
Through this new project, McMaster University will work with eight pan-Canadian associations to implement and evaluate the use of guidance, training resources, and materials for health care and social service provider to better support survivors of family violence. Through this project, McMaster aims to improve the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours of the thousands of providers involved in recognizing the signs of family violence and providing a safe and effective response to survivors.
These materials and resources were developed through McMaster University's Violence Evidence Guidance and Action (VEGA) project, which previously received funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The suite of resources includes online training, a practice handbook, and interactional scenarios, with the goal of improving the response and support given to those dealing with family violence.
"Front-line organizations in our communities often provide essential and life-saving services to those affected by family violence. Far too often, children and youth, women, and LGBTQ2 people experience violence at home, and this funding will ensure community organizations are better prepared to support them. Ensuring that people have the training, tools, and resources needed to respond to survivors is crucial to ensuring that survivors receive appropriate care in a safe and inclusive manner," said The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health.
"Our previous work has told us that professionals need more evidence-informed training to be able to safely recognize and respond to family violence and it is important to them; the partnerships we have established with professional associations reiterate this message. We are delighted to be able to lead the implementation and evaluation of VEGA. We firmly believe that investing in Canadian practitioners is an investment in Canada's children, youth, and families," said Dr. Melissa Kimber Assistant Professor at McMaster University and Lead of the Preparing Providers to Recognize and Respond to Family Violence project
"Family violence is a major public health problem with devastating consequences for children, women, families, and communities. PHAC's ongoing investment in VEGA ensures that important efforts will continue in supporting healthcare and social service providers to recognize and respond safely to family violence," said Dr. Harriet MacMillan Distinguished University Professor at McMaster University and VEGA Project Lead.
