Introduction

How the Workshop Came to Be

The Strengths of Shelter Workers

What is Abuse?

Why Abuse is Happening in Inuit Society

Understanding the Cycle of Violence

Inuit People and Healing

How My Shelter Helps Healing

Counselling 101

The Purpose of Counselling

Building a Counselling Relationship

Confidentiality

Good Listening

Gathering Information

Setting Goals

Taking Action

Suicide Prevention

Children and Abuse

The Impact of Abuse on Children

What Children Need

Helping Children Express Their Feelings

Safety Plans for Children

Working in a Shelter

Creating Physical Safety

Emotional Self-Esteem

Building Self-Esteem

Caring for Yourself

Dealing with Difficult Residents

Dealing with Conflict at the Shelter

Shelter Procedures and Records

Building Links with the Community

References

Emotional Safety

Safety is more than locked doors at the shelter. If people have been abused over long periods of time their feelings of fear are very strong. They may appear calm and under control, or aggressive and fearless on the ‘outside’, but on the inside they feel that they aren’t safe anywhere or at any time.

Just saying “you are safe here” won’t take the fear away. Shelter workers need to show these women and children that the shelter is a place where they are emotionally safe, where they will be respected and listened to.