Lawyers, especially family law lawyers, frequently work with clients who are currently experiencing intimate partner violence. To best support these clients, lawyers should understand the dynamics of IPV, warning signs, risk factors and where to refer clients for support. The Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) is the member association for agencies that provide emergency shelter and counselling services to victims/survivors of intimate partner violence in Saskatchewan.
While lawyers are trained to assist these clients with their legal matters, it can be helpful to know where to refer for support services specifically for victims and survivors of abuse. Clients may not be aware of what services are available in their community, if they need a referral, or if there is a cost associated with these services. You can help by being informed yourself. You can find a list of Saskatchewan services on PATHS website.
Emergency domestic violence shelters (sometimes called transition houses or interval houses) provide safe temporary housing to women fleeing abuse and their children. The maximum length of stay varies by agency but is typically about six weeks. Emergency shelters are staffed 24 hours a day and staff are available to offer support, information, safety planning, and referrals to other services, such as counselling, financial services, legal support, and housing. There is no charge for shelter stays and clients can self-refer. There is no need to have involved the police or to have experienced physical violence to be admitted. These agencies provide counselling and support over the phone or in person, assistance with safety planning, and referrals, and may offer outreach services including one-on-one counselling or group programming. These programs focus on healing after experiencing IPV and may include other topics such as financial literacy, wellness activities, cultural programming and support from local Elders.
Shelters also provide children’s programs and may have dedicated children’s counsellors. Some shelters in Saskatchewan are also able to house families with pets. Others have partnerships with animal safekeeping programs that can assist with temporary care for the family’s pets while the survivor is in the shelter.
Second-stage shelters are designed for women and their children who are looking for secure, affordable housing on a longer-term basis. Second-stage shelters offer programming, including children’s programming, cultural programs, group programming, and individual support. Unlike transition houses, most are not staffed 24/7 but provide ongoing support and programming during regular business hours. The maximum stay at a second-stage shelter can typically range from one to two years. Women do not have to have been residents at an emergency shelter to secure second-stage accommodation. Women can self-refer to second-stage, as well as emergency shelters. Third-stage shelters also offer affordable housing; this is a more independent and longer-term housing option for women survivors. Residents at second and third-stage shelters pay rent on a sliding scale.
In addition, some PATHS member agencies offer programming for people who have used violence in their intimate relationships. These programs, as well as other intervention programs for perpetrators of IPV that accept self-referrals, are listed on the PATHS website.
Some PATHS member agencies offer outreach and counselling support for survivors of IPV without residential services. These agencies provide counselling and support over the phone or in person, assistance with safety planning, and referrals, and offer outreach services and group programming. Many IPV services also offer support relating to the legal system, including information about protection orders, information about the criminal legal system, accompaniment to court and the police station, and assistance applying for Victims' Compensation benefits.
IPV professionals at PATHS member agencies are trained to assess risk using the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA), an actuarial risk assessment that evaluates the likelihood that the perpetrator will recidivate. The ODARA is used by professionals who work with perpetrators to inform risk management (e.g., bail conditions) and risk reduction (e.g., treatment) strategies. Professionals who work with victims/survivors use the ODARA to assist their clients to have an accurate understanding of their potential risk and to inform safety planning. Safety planning is a dynamic process that must be revisited and updated at different stages in the relationship; for example, when the victim is still in the relationship but may be concerned about their safety; when they are planning to end the relationship, which is often the most dangerous time; after they have left; and when changes occur that are demonstrated to be risk factors for continued IPV or domestic homicide (e.g., disputes over custody/access/parenting time or when the victim gets a new partner).
IPV shelters and services provide education on IPV to the general public and professionals who work with survivors. They can assist individuals who are concerned about a friend or family member in providing a supportive response. PATHS has also developed a free online course for Supporting a Friend Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).
Legal professionals may want to connect with PATHS members in their communities to learn more about the services they provide. PATHS has been working with experienced IPV professionals at some of our member agencies to increase capacity for providing expert testimony in cases of IPV in Saskatchewan. IPV professionals from Victim Services and PATHS member agencies can support individuals at risk in making a Clare’s Law application and are often in attendance when police agencies provide a Clare’s Law disclosure to offer additional support and safety planning.
IPV professionals are experts at working with individuals impacted by IPV. Legal professionals often serve the same population. Together we can achieve better outcomes for the individuals we serve.
Crystal J. Giesbrecht, PhD (she/her) is PATHS Director of Research. Crystal’s work includes conducting research relating to intimate partner violence and designing and delivering training for professionals.
Jo-Anne Dusel (she/her) is PATHS Executive Director. Jo-Anne spent 20 years as a frontline shelter staff member working directly with women who have experienced abuse. Jo-Anne is often consulted by the media on issues related to violence against women.
Jo-Anne and Crystal regularly deliver PATHS’s Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic Violence for Family Law Practitioners training.
https://pathssk.org/