Settlement and Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

The overall objective of this full-day professional development training forum is to support settlement service staff in better understanding how newcomer, immigrant, and refugee settlement challenges intersect with safety, gender-based violence, and experiences of trauma. The training aims to strengthen staff confidence in building safer spaces and in engaging clients through culturally safe, trauma and violence-informed, and prevention-focused approaches. The sessions will focus on practical strategies for early information-sharing, early intervention, and critical conversations that prioritize safety and client choice, as well as coordinated responses and cross-sector collaboration that support newcomer well-being and prevent situations from escalating into crisis.

Session 1: Settlement Realities and Early Support

To build a shared understanding of the key settlement challenges faced by newcomer, immigrant, and refugee communities, including immigration status, language access, employment stress, youth and family dynamics, social isolation, and system navigation and how these pressures can affect well-being, trust, and safety in early settlement interactions.   

Session 2: Culturally Safe Engagement and Prevention in Settlement Practice

This session aims to strengthen settlement staff capacity to engage newcomers through culturally safe and trauma and violence-informed approaches, while building practical skills to navigate sensitive conversations related to relationships, boundaries, family dynamics, and safety, including situations related to GBV. It will support participants in recognizing early signs of risk or harm, applying early intervention and prevention-focused strategies, and using appropriate referral pathways and coordinated, cross-sector responses to address concerns early and reduce the likelihood of escalation into crisis.

Session 3: Early Settlement Education – Rights, Responsibilities, and Expectations in Canada

To explore practical and culturally responsive ways settlement services can provide newcomers with clear, accessible information early in the settlement process about rights, responsibilities, and legal expectations in Canada related to safety and violence, without stigma or harm.  

Session 4: Building Safer Pathways: Supporting Black Communities Through Settlement and GBV Response

This trauma-informed workshop will support service providers in Niagara in strengthening their engagement with and support for Black communities. Participants will deepen their understanding of migration and anti-Black racism as forms of trauma, how they can compound experiences of GBV/IPV, and the current gaps that exist in support pathways, while gaining practical strategies for creating safer, more culturally responsive spaces and stronger approaches to warm handoffs and collaboration with B3 (Black-led, Black-serving, and Black-focused non-profits) organizations.

Speakers: 

Maryann Macharia (She/Her) | Community Engagement Lead | Future Black Female

Monique Maison (She/Her) | Community Engagement Worker | Future Black Female

Agenda:

08:30 - 9: 30 Registration / Breakfast / Networking

09:30 - 10:00 Welcome / Opening

10:00 - 11:15 Session 1: Settlement Realities and Early Support

11:15 - 11:30 Coffee Break

11:30 - 12:45 Session 2: Culturally Safe Engagement and Prevention in Settlement Practice

12:45 - 01:45 Lunch Break

01:45 - 03:00 Session 3: Early Settlement Education – Rights, Responsibilities, and Expectations in Canada

03:00 - 03:15 Coffee Break

03:15 - 04:30 Session 4: Building Safer Pathways: Supporting Black Communities Through Settlement and GBV Response

04:30- 05:00 Closing

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Host or Publisher OCASI