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Military Family Services Symposium examines how to prevent family violence

By Stephanie Webster

Some of the MFSP representatives in attendance were: (from L-R) Sue McCormack, DMFS Field Operations Manager; Andrew Webb, DMFS Field Operations Manager; Colleen Calvert, Executive Director Halifax MFRC; Beth Corey, Executive Director Gagetown MFRC; and Joan Simard, Executive Director Bagotville MFRC. Some of the MFSP representatives in attendance were: (from L-R) Sue McCormack, DMFS Field Operations Manager; Andrew Webb, DMFS Field Operations Manager; Colleen Calvert, Executive Director Halifax MFRC; Beth Corey, Executive Director Gagetown MFRC; and Joan Simard, Executive Director Bagotville MFRC.

Who is responsible for proactive family violence prevention? Military Family Services Program (MFSP) representatives share successes, challenges and strategies for change at a symposium in Ottawa. From March 21 to 22, representatives from bases across the country, Europe, and the United States, converged to examine issues related to family violence prevention and to look at effective strategies for change.

The symposium brought together academics, policy-makers, service providers, researchers and the Canadian Forces Family Violence Advisory Committee (FVAC). A panel discussion, led by the FVAC, on initiatives within the Canadian Forces on the topic of family violence prevention "acquainted participants with current DND efforts" says, Alla Ivask, Senior Manager Research, Policy and Program Development at CFPSA.

The Directorate of Military Family Services (DMFS) designated family violence prevention to be a program priority in the new 05/06 fiscal year, "as result we thought it would be valuable to bring people together to learn, to share knowledge as well as experienced successes and challenges," says Ivask.

In the 'train the trainer' style workshops speakers passed on interesting resources and ideas on how to build community awareness in a positive way.

DMFS at CFPSA is committed to working with its stakeholders to enhance the quality of life for Canadian military families.