YWCA Brandon - Westman's Woman Shelter: A Secret No More: Domestic Violence Against Women in Rural Area

A Secret No More: Domestic Violence Against Women in Rural Area
July 21, 2021
12:00PM – 1:00PM
Keynote Speaker: Anna-Lee Straatman, Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations, Knowledge Hub, Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children, Western University

A Secret No More: Domestic Violence Against Women in Rural Area
Keynote Speaker- Anna-Lee Straatman

Anna-Lee Straatman is a Project Manager at the Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women & Children at Western University. She is currently managing the following projects: Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations, Knowledge Hub, Family Violence Family Law project, and Recognizing critical expertise in gender-based violence work. She has worked with Victim Service agencies as an education facilitator, and volunteer crisis responder. Anna-Lee has conducted interviews with hundreds of survivors of intimate partner violence and adult survivors of child sexual abuse. She has a Master degree in Library and Information Science. Anna-Lee lives on a farm in southwestern Ontario.

About the topic:
The rate of domestic violence and homicide in rural, remote and northern regions of Canada is often significantly higher than in urban areas. A number of factors may contribute to higher rates of violence and homicide including precarious employment, unemployment, and/or role of firearms. This presentation will discuss domestic violence and homicides in rural Canada, challenges to help-seeking, and suggestions for service providers.