Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 26/05) - A new protocol may help NWT seniors put their foot down on family violence and abuse.

The protocol will change the way agencies respond to family violence, according to Clarinda Spijkerman, family violence consultant with the department of Health and Social Services.

"We will develop specific policies that address victim safety and that link people together," Spijkerman said.

Barb Hood, executive director of the NWT Seniors Society, said the committee will supplement the action plan from the coalition on family violence.

"Since the legislation has come in, we've had more calls to request the assistance of emergency protection orders in this jurisdiction than in any other place in Canada," Hood said.

By developing a new family violence protocol, stronger partnerships should be forged within communities, Hood said.

"It will also give support to caregivers who have to respond to calls on family violence."

Family violence comes in many forms within a senior's world, Hood said.

"It can be physical abuse or specifically to seniors, financial abuse," she explained.

"There can also be neglect issues or emotional abuse," she said.

Developing the protocol will assist in several ways, she said.

It will assure services are in place to respond to calls and also it gives seniors the ability to speak about the abuse and to be believed.

"These educational campaigns will support seniors to speak out and feel stronger about asserting themselves."

Hood said a contractor has been hired to deliver workshops in Yellowknife, Fort Resolution and Deline and write draft protocols.

Final protocols will be completed by early 2006. Afterwards, tool kits will be created to assist organizations in dealing with family violence.

"We will then offer the same process to other community groups and the ability to have workshops."