Building a Community Coordinated Response to the Criminalization of Survivors: A Toolkit
(Fall 2025) This Toolkit provides ideas, strategies, and techniques for addressing the need and challenges related to making survivors charged…
Supporting the Supporters: Informal Networks Have a Role in Preventing Domestic Violence
Published by: Graham Barnes, Elena Esina
This webinar explores the value of informal networks in victims’ and perpetrator’s lives. How can we support those networks to effectively respond to the needs of the victim and perpetrator; and address the perceived reluctance of friends and families to intervene in what is commonly understood as a private matter? How can specialist domestic violence organizations build customized education programs and supports geared towards friends and families and the general public?
The presenter challenges the domestic violence sector to move beyond the traditional service delivery model that usually only includes informal networks in the assessment phase of work with clients to a model that would include and leverage informal networks in preventing domestic violence. The presenter draws on current North American research along with findings from a project in Calgary, Canada.