Newsletter Resources

R E S O U R C E S on Abuse of Older Women

Best Practice Manual
Family Service Association of Toronto is proud to offer a Best Practice Manual on Elder Abuse. Based on the first two years of work by their Elder Abuse Consultation team, this manual covers areas such as: philosophical foundations; interventions for specific types of abuse; cultural considerations in working with older adults who are abused; safety planning; and criminal code offenses and elder abuse. This manual will be ready for release in the Summer of 2004. It is estimated that electronic versions of the manual will be $75.00, hard copies $100.00. To view a table of contents and/or place an order, visit www.fsatoronto.com. All proceeds support FSA’s work with abused older adults.

One is One Too Many
One is One Too Many is a comprehensive educational program created by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) aimed at increasing nurses’ knowledge of client abuse, empowering nurses to get involved to protect their clients, their colleagues, and themselves. The program focuses on recognizing warning signs and speaking out. Although this program is directed toward health-care providers, it can be used by anyone who wants to learn more abuse. The video’s many scenarios illustrate different forms of abuse, from subtle to the obvious. The program also includes a facilitator’s guide and nurses’ workbook. For more information, visit www.cno.org/pubs/oiotm/index.htm.

EACT (Elder Abuse Consultation Team)
at FSA on Air and In Print
Lisa Manuel and others shot a one-hour show on elder abuse for Discovery Health Network’s Health on the Line in December, 2003. Brenda Anderson, Lisa Manuel, and others shot a documentary on elder abuse that aired on TVO’s Studio Two on March 4 and 5, 2004. Catch both of these shows in re-runs.

At the 32nd meeting of the Canadian Association on Gerontology in Toronto, November 1, 2003, Lisa Manuel presented, "She Can’t Be Capable: The Medicalization of Abuse in Later Life." Lisa Manuel, Brenda Anderson, Lynne Gallaher, Clarice Ondrack, Jane Zhang, and Agnes Mandamin presented "Breaking the Silence: A Holistic Approach to Working with Abused Older Adults." Copies of these papers are available by emailing Lisa Manuel at lisama@fsatoronto.com.

Conference Highlights: Weaving the Web
(January 29, 2004)
Education Wife Assault hosted this event with the Family Service Association of Toronto, Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, Circle of Care, and the Toronto Police Service Elder Abuse Unit. With opening remarks by the Honourable George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Laurel Broten, MPP, and Deputy Chief Reesor, this one-day conference focused on the need to bring together the domestic-violence and senior-serving sectors to discuss similarities and differences in their approaches to abuse of older women.

Next steps include a community mapping of gaps and strengths in both sectors, development of a trans-disciplinary training team, and case-based training with agencies. A peer education model will also be developed through this project, funded by the Breaking the Cycle of Violence Grants Program at the City of Toronto (http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/grants/btcv/). For a full conference report, visit www.womanabuseprevention.com/html/edler_abuse/WTW_conference_report.htm.

Highlights: Ontario Elder Abuse Conference
(March 1-2, 2004)
At this international event in Toronto, the Honorable George Smitherman and other government representatives reinforced the Ontario government’s zero tolerance of elder abuse. In a presentation entitled "Abuse and Neglect: Lessons Learned from the Field," Dr. Jean Kozak of Elisabeth Bruyère Health Centre in Ottawa closed the conference by challenging participants to compare child abuse, violence against women, and elder abuse. He noted that profiles of abusers and abused are similar at all ages and urged development of a coherent approach to working with older adults who are abused. Proceedings for this event will be available online later this year at the Ontario Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse website, www.onpea.org.

Abuse and Neglect in Long Term Care: Intervention and Prevention Fostering a Supportive and Respectful Environment in Long Term Care
Produced in 1996 by Jonathan Lareau, Bob Manser, and Sisters of Charity Ottawa Health Services Inc, this video is part of an innovative educational package for intervening and preventing abuse and neglect of residents in long-term care facilities (LTC). Actors in the video are actual LTC residents, staff, and volunteers. The video aims to increase awareness of the diverse forms of abuse and neglect and to point to how it may occur in LTC. Comprehensive discussion modules and a facilitator’s guide are included. It was produced in French as Intervention et Prévention: favoriser un milieu de soutien et de respect dans les établissements de soins de longue durée. Check www.nfb.ca for further information.

Some Interesting Websites on Abuse of Older People
Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
http://www.mun.cs/elderabuse/

Canadian Legal FAQs: Abuse of Older Adults FAQs
http://www.law-faqs.org/elder/

Community Legal Education Ontario. Elder Abuse: The Hidden Crime http://www.cleo.on.ca/english/pub/onpub/PDF/may 02/elderab.pdf

National Center on Elder Abuse
http://www.elderabusecenter.org

Institute on Aging. http://www.ioaging.org

Medline Plus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/elderabuse.html

New Resources at EWA

I Witness: Children Exposed to Domestic Violence (2003)
By Angelique Jenney and Gary Fohr, this video is intended for use with men seeking help for abusive behaviours in a domestic relationship, and focuses on how children are affected by exposure to woman abuse. The video and guide may be used in group or individual work, or for training practitioners working with abusive men to help them to gain a better understanding of the issues.

Facing Diversity: Responding to Violence Against Women from Diverse Cultures (2000)
This Justice Institute video is intended for those who support and assist women from diverse cultures, such as police, Crown counsel, and probation officers. Through the voices of three women from different cultural communities, this video highlights a selection of best practices.

Understanding Woman Abuse: Social and Political Challenges (2003)
This updated paper by Melanie Randall stresses the importance of gender analysis in understanding and responding to domestic violence. It also highlights current issues and problems facing those working to end violence against women.

Embodying Equity (2002)
By Carla Rice and Vanessa Russell, this resource for teachers, administrators, and service providers addresses the intersections of body image, identity, discrimination, and equity with 50 creative, interactive, practical exercises.

Changing Landscape: Training Manual for Service Providers (2001)
Mechthild Meyer and Alma Estable developed this manual in collaboration and with the participation of immigrant and visible minority women survivors of violence.

Creating Safer Schools for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth: A Resource for Educators (2002 Revised Edition)
Developed by educators, schools administrators, parents, guidance counselors, and equity workers, and coordinated by Joanne Bacon of EWA, this resource includes strategies for incorporating anti-homophobia education into equity and anti-violence programming and addresses how teachers can deal with homophobic violence and overcome barriers to starting anti-homophobia work in schools and communities.

Anthology of Women’s Writing, Art and Poetry:
A Collection of Deaf Women’s Stories: Tales of Survival (2002)
Compiled by EWA, this 22-page collection of stories, poetry, and artworks by Deaf and Hard of Hearing women covers a wide range of experiences of oppression and violence.

Please contact EWA for a complete hard copy:
publications@womanabuseprevention.com
Telephone: 416.968.3422 x21