Section 2: PREVENTION Module 9: Root causes of violence

1. Section 2: PREVENTIONModule 9: Root causes of violence Respect Aging:Preventing Violence against Older Persons Violence Prevention Initiative

2. Agenda • Welcome • Brainstorming • Learning together: • Root causes of violence • Small group activity • Reporting back to whole group • Wrap-up / Evaluation

3. What is “violence”? • Violence is accomplished through the abuse of power and control. • Most commonly understood as a pattern of behaviour intended to establish and maintain control over family, household members, intimate partners, colleagues, individuals or groups.

4. Violence… …is rooted in inequality. …violates people’s rights. …may also be a crime.

5. Violence against older persons • Cycle of family violence • Devaluing and marginalizing • Isolation = limited access to resources • Intimate partner violence

6. Control tactics • Physical violence • Humiliation, jealousy • Creating dependency • Isolation; watching • Minimizing violence • Threats

7. The Cycle of Violence EXPLOSION TENSION HONEYMOON

8. Caregiver stress • Theory says caregivers lose control under stress • But it is never okay to harm an older person • Stress does not justify violence

9. Being a supportive helper • Be aware of power imbalances • Acknowledge differences in power • Provide information • See older person as active participant • Offer choices

10. Tools • Power and Control Wheel • Advocacy and Empowerment Wheel

11. VIOLENCE SEXUAL Forcing sexual acts or behaviors without consent PHYSICAL Using physical force which results in pain or injury EMOTIONAL Specific demeaning tactics such as making threats, intimidation PSYCHOLOGICAL Ongoing controlling behaviour; isolation POWER AND CONTROL VERBAL Using language to hurt or shame: yelling, lying, insulting SPIRITUAL Not permitting religious observanceof person’s choice CULTURAL Ignoring or ridiculing cultural traditions NEGLECT Failing to meet the needs of the older person FINANCIAL Stealing money; taking over bank accounts or possessions without permission ABUSE

12. BELIEVE AND VALIDATE Listen to and believe the older person. Acknowledge feelings and emphasize that she/he is not alone. RESPECT AUTONOMY Respect the older person’s right to make decisions about her/his own life. She/he is the expert in her/his own life. ACKNOWLEDGE INJUSTICE The violence perpetrated against the older person is not her/his fault. No one deserves to be harmed. ADVOCACY & EMPOWERMENT PROVIDE INFORMATION Provide the older person with information and options so she or he can make choices. HELP WITH SAFETY PLANNING Help the older person develop a safety plan. Work out a place to go if she/he needs to escape. RESPECT CONFIDENTIALITY Meet with the older person privately, without caregivers or family members present. This is essential in building trust and ensuring safety. RESPECT TRUST

13. Restoring power and control to the older person • Empowerment through: • Information • Options • Choices • Involvement