Pathways to Resilience III: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

Policing, Policy & Advocacy:

Abstract # 30
The Bridgewater Police:  Innovative Collaborators Supporting Individuals In Challenging Contexts
Presenter: Nancy Ross Co-presenters: Sue Bookchin, John W. Collyer
Abstract:
Throughout the collaborative community response initiated by the ‘Be the Peace, Make a Change’ project to reduce interpersonal violence in Lunenburg County, the Bridgewater Police have been key stake-holders.   The coordinators of this project, funded by the Status for Women Canada for three years, hope the initiatives started will be sustained beyond the project funding, by community partnerships. The Bridgewater Police have been innovative partners.  For example, leadership of the ongoing development of the Community Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC) has been transferred to the Bridgewater Police Chief, John Collier. The ongoing participation of the Police in this project, along with other community partnerships has resulted in new and innovative models that will increase both the resiliency of the community and support pathways to resiliency of individuals. Bridgewater Police are also key stakeholders in the Municipal Alcohol Project that aims to both prevent and respond better to alcohol-related harms.  The Bridgewater Police have also partnered with local women’s organization to improve responses to sexual assault.  Individual Police officers mentor individual youth. This presentation will highlight the ways in which the Bridgewater Police prioritize collaborative engagement in the community that aims to support individuals in challenging contexts.

Abstract # 34
Beyond The Tip Of The Iceberg: A Holistic Approach To Advocating For Youth
Presenter: Megan Longley
Abstract:
Traditionally Nova Scotia Legal Aid has provided representation to youth charged with criminal offenses.  We are now taking a new approach to our representation of youth by looking at how we can address or help with the issues that contributed to the criminal engagement. Any youth in HRM, incluidng those with no criminal law issues, can come to us with any social justice issue and will get to meet with a lawyer for service ranging from summary advice to full service. The areas we are, so far, addressing including school and school board issues, DCS issues, criminal record issues, PPA negotiations, assistance negotiating access to mental health services or housing and DMV appeals. The assistance we provide ranges from informal (call to a principal or grouphome) to formal (representationa t a school board hearing) or anything in between. Often youth need help beyond the legal so we are offering to provide whatever level of help they need navigating or fighting the system they want to access. Many youth we serve do not have adults who can be an available or effective advocate for them when dealing with these problems so we want to help youth have a voice when trying to obtain services to which they are entitled. I believe this legal aid approach to holistic youth social justice and criminal law is unique in this province and possibly in the country and we are excited to share what we are doing.

Abstract # 65
Coming Up For Air
Presenter: John Yee
Abstract:
Instead of examining resilience by conducting a random sample to represent a specific population, I am proposing to examine another feature of resilience from members in a specific group. I am also a member of this group: a trauma response unit. We attend to trauma experienced by law enforcement officers. There are about 80 members in this group, and we are on call on an average of one week per month. 
We know what to say when we attend to others who are faced with stressful incidences that affect their ability to function in their normal day to day activities. But what if we are affected ourselves by stressful incidences? Do we know what to do? How would we handle it? This paper examines some of the common ways we pull ourselves out of a rut.    
My method of research: qualitative analysis, survey, and brief follow-up interview by email to elaborate on established themes or patterns arrived at from the survey.

Abstract # 33
A Place At The Table:  Incorporating Voices And Perspectives Of Those Who Experienced Domestic Violence In Childhood
Presenter: Ericka Kimball 
Abstract:
For more than 30 years the movement to end domestic violence has focused on increasing safety, freedom, and autonomy for victims and their children. Over that time, our understanding of children’s experiences of domestic violence has evolved significantly. Initially, programs responded to children as “secondary victims” and provided services exclusively to the abused parent based on the fair assumption that increasing safety and well-being would also increase the safety and well-being of children. Soon, with new research on the impact of “witnessing” domestic violence, programs began to respond to children’s needs directly – offering separate services that addressed safety planning, processing complex feelings, and promoting strengths. Now we are on the cusp of a second wave of the movement – one where those who experienced domestic violence as children are now adults who are making a place in the social justice arena. The AEDVC Leadership Forum is emerging as leaders to bring visibility to this experience and to impact new directions for policy, service provision, and advocacy on behalf of children exposed to domestic violence. In this facilitated discussion, we want to explore key strategies for incorporating the voices and perspectives of children exposed to domestic violence in understanding resilience.

Abstract # 36
Resiliency And Rights: A Conceptual Model
Presenter: Yvonne Vissing 
Abstract:
This paper explores the relationship between resiliency and the presence of community support for child rights.  The United Nations (UN) created the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 25 years ago and it has become the most endorsed human rights act in the world.  Only two UN countries (Somalia and the USA) have not signed, ratified and implemented the UNCRC. Research with international child scholars in the United Kingdom and Ireland has led to my speaking at the UNCRC’s 25th anniversary in Amsterdam this fall.  A mixed-methods design has been employed to analyze about the relationship between child rights and resiliency.  I have created a theoretical model that explores the interface between these variables that proposes resiliency is heightened when there are formalized legal mandates that support child rights.  While resiliency in children may be possible for those in countries where there are few child protection laws, the lack of community support, resource and infrastructure makes it much more challenging.  The position of this paper is that supporting child rights is directly correlated with higher well-being, empowerment and resiliency for children and youth.