Understanding and Responding to Family Violence in the Context of Migration

This past June 29 saw 70-plus attendees convene at Western’s Faculty of Education for a community of practice conversation on family violence in the context of migration. Organized by CRHESI, the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration (MRCSSI) and the Centre for Research and Education on Violence against Women and Children, the event brought multiple disciplines and research/practice perspectives together for a full day. The program included individual and panel presentations, including:

  • Gender-based violence in European and Migrant Contexts, by Dr. Lydia Potts, Oldenburg University, Germany.
  • Differential Responses to Family Violence in a Context of Pre- and Post-Migration Stressors, Dr. Mohammed Baobaid, MRCSSI, London ON.
  • Supporting Refugee and Immigrant Families through the Stress of Transition, by Dr. Lloy Wylie, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Our attendees provided thoughtful feedback at the end of the event. One of them said: “As a Ministry representative, this event helped me shape internal thinking and conversation on how to support this work.” Another attendee said: “This was a wonderful opportunity to hear from different perspectives.” And: “The time given and content shared permitted reflection of current practice and how to change in the future.”

We will share slideshows and a video synopsis of the symposium over the coming weeks.