Saskatchewan Common Assessment Protocol for Intimate Partner Violence

The Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS), along with project partners Family Service Saskatoon and Family Service Regina, have been contracted by the Community Safety and Well-Being branch, Integrated Justice Services (IJS) and are working to collaboratively develop a common intimate partner violence assessment tool for use across sectors within Saskatchewan.

PATHS has collaborated with the provincial government and other stakeholders in the past, for example, in the project titled Promoting Access to Justice for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence, funded by the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan. One of the recommendations put forth in consultation with project partners was the use of a common assessment tool for IPV across sectors.

The successful implementation of this tool will contribute to the following outcomes:

•  Improved collaboration and communication among family justice professionals, child protection professionals, legal experts and police representatives, fostering a more
  integrated and coordinated response to intimate partner violence;
• Increased accuracy, comparability, and standardization in how human service professionals assess the type of intimate partner violence, risk levels, and necessary
  support services;
• Improved support for survivors by better identifying needs and providing focused intervention;
• Decrease delays and barriers in providing services to survivors of intimate partner violence;
• Increased knowledge and awareness across human service professionals about the complexities and impacts of intimate partner violence;
• Increased victim/survivor confidence in the Justice system; and
• Increased accountability for individuals that use violence in relationships.

The project will begin with a review of IPV risk assessments and screening tools that are already in use by, or are available to, professionals at relevant organizations and sectors in
Saskatchewan (including domestic violence shelters and services, victim services, Domestic Violence Courts, family law, child protection, police), as well as a review of IPV risk
assessments and screening tools that are in use in other jurisdictions, and a review of literature relating to risk factors for IPV recidivism and intimate partner/domestic homicide. This will include gathering data through an online survey on information sharing between sectors that use IPV assessments and procedures following assessment (e.g., How is relevant information communicated? How does the information gathered in existing assessment inform safety planning and risk reduction/risk management strategies?)

Throughout the project, PATHS will work closely with project partners, Family Service Saskatoon and Family Service Regina. The project team will also establish a small project
advisory committee consisting of professionals from key sectors (e.g., police, family law, domestic violence courts, CSWB)

As well as consulting with project partners and the project advisory committee during the development phase, PATHS will host consultation sessions to consult with professionals,
including those in front-line positions, in key sectors (e.g., domestic violence shelters and services, victim services, Domestic Violence Courts, family law, child protection, police, First Nations/ Tribal Council justice services, health, mental health and addictions services, Government representatives from key ministries).

At the consultation, we will clarify if and how professionals are currently assessing for IPV, what tools are being used, and any barriers and challenges they experience. We will assess the
specific needs of family justice professionals, child protection professionals, legal experts, police representatives and other relevant stakeholders through in-person and virtual consultations to define the intent, parameters, and features of the IPV assessment tool. Significant attention will be paid to building an understanding of the benefits of a common assessment tool for Saskatchewan and working toward consensus in recommendations relating to the development and implementation of the assessment.

We will develop a draft common IPV assessment tool/protocol for Saskatchewan based on the information collected at stakeholder consultations and information gathered during the review of existing risk assessments, screening tools, risk checklists, and protocols. A second round of consultation will be held to refine the tool and protocol, based on stakeholder feedback. Educational materials will be developed and made available following the development of the tool and protocol.

Our vision for this project includes routine IPV screening across sectors (e.g., women’s shelters, policing, legal, social services, health care) to identify individuals who may be experiencing or using violence/abuse in their relationships. This routine screening would be part of a common assessment protocol that would then lead to risk assessment, safety planning, and risk management strategies.