This BC Refugee Hub Training Webinar, delivered on August 11, 2020, covers supports for refugees and refugee claimants facing domestic violence, along with self-care strategies for front-line workers supporting with vulnerable clients. The target audience for this webinar was: settlement workers and settlement organization staff, community support workers, and stakeholders working with and supporting refugees and claimants.

The BC Refugee Hub would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness.

Webinar Speakers:

Speaker: Rosa Elena Arteaga, Manager of Direct Service and Clinical Practice – Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS)

Rosa Arteaga has been working in the anti-violence field for over twenty years delivering workshops on violence against self-identified girls and women, and providing training to service providers at the national and international level. In her role as Manager of Direct Services and Clinical Practice, she oversees a number of programs within BWSS.

Rosa presented on:

• How to recognize signs of domestic violence in clients
• What steps to take to support the client
• What are special circumstances impacting refugees and refugee claimants (that might be different than other groups)
• Limitations of the support a front line worker can provide and making referrals
• Changes and increased instances of violence due to COVID-19
• Introduction to the 2019 toolkit by BWSS and BC Refugee Hub
• Available resources
• Q&A session

Presentation video>>

Powerpoint deck>>

Speaker: Mona Hassannia, Registered Clinical Counsellor – Nia Counselling

Mona Hassannia is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Psychotherapist with Nia Counselling providing therapy, team debriefings and workshops in Vancouver. She has over 15 years of front-line and management experiences in the settlement sector.

Mona presented on:

• Supporting victims of abuse and violence as a front-line worker
• Understanding vicarious trauma and best practices in avoiding burnout
• Self care – a necessity for front-line workers
• Working remotely while supporting clients – how to create boundaries
• Q&A session

Presentation video>>

Powerpoint deck>>

Additional Resources

Training Webinar (February 11, 2019) – How to Support Refugees and Refugee Claimants Facing Domestic Violence

Training Webinar (November 26, 2019) – Supporting Women with Precarious Immigration Status, Refugees and Refugee Claimants Facing Domestic Violence – Safety Assessment and Safety Planning Tool

Safety Assessment and Safety Planning Tool