TURNING STONES

DESCRIPTIVE AND PRELIMINARY EVALUATION FINDINGS OF AN INDIGENOUS, FAMILY-CENTERED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM

Authors

  • Jennifer Wong School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University
  • Jessica Bouchard School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University

Abstract

Abstract
Turning Stones is a family-centered domestic violence intervention program
in British Columbia, Canada. This culturally sensitive program
serves Indigenous men, women, and youth/children who suffer as a result
of abuse in one or more intimate relationships. The study describes
the Turning Stones program and provides a preliminary examination
of program impacts based on nine men and nine women enrolled in
the program. The program shows promising results with respect to
decreasing abusive behaviours, with participants reporting declines
in both physical and psychological abuse following program completion.
Male participants also demonstrated gains in knowledge and skills
concerning anger reduction. The limitations of the study and future research
are discussed.

References

Abadian, S. (1999). From wasteland to homeland: Trauma and the renewal ofindigenous peoples and their communities (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Harvard University, Cambridge.

Babcock, J., Armenti, N., Cannon, C., Lauve-Moon, K., Buttell, F., Ferreira, R., . . . Solano, I. (2016). Domestic violence perpetrator programs: A proposal for evidence-based standards in the United States. Partner Abuse, 7(4), 355-460.

Bopp J., Bopp M., Lane P., & Four Worlds Centre for Development Learning (2003). Aboriginal Domestic Violence in Canada. Ottawa, ON: Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

Boyce, J. (2016). Victimization of Aboriginal people in Canada, 2014. Catalogue no. 85-002-X ISSN 1209-6393. Statistics Canada.

Bracken, C. (1994). White gift: The potlatch and the rhetoric of Canadian colonialism, 1868-1936 (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubctheses/831/items/1.0088031

Browne, A., & Varcoe, C. (2006). Critical cultural perspectives and healthcare involving Aboriginal peoples. Contemporary Nurse, 22(2), 155-167.

Cannon, C., Hamel, J., Buttell, F., & Ferreira, R. J. (2016). A survey of domestic violence perpetrator programs in the United States and Canada: Findings and implications for policy and intervention. Partner Abuse, 7(3), 226-276.

Cripps, K. (2007). Indigenous family violence: From emergency measures to committed long term action. Australian Indigenous Law Rev, 11, 7-18.

Dapice A. (2006). The medicine wheel. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 17, 251–260.

Ellerby, L., & MacPherson, P. (2002), Exploring the profiles of Aboriginal sexual offenders: contrasting Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal sexual offenders to determine unique client characteristics and potential implications for

sex offender assessment and treatment strategies. Research Report R-122.

Ottawa, ON: Correctional Service Canada.

Gillum, T. (2008). The benefits of a culturally specific intimate partner violence intervention for African American survivors. Violence Against Women, 14(8), 917-943.

Government of Canada (1996). Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal peoples. Ottawa, ON. Retrieved from http://data2.archives.ca/e/e448/e011188230-01.pdf

Hylton, J. H. (2002). Aboriginal sex offending in Canada. Ottawa: Aboriginal Healing Foundation. Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Core Curriculum Development Working Group. (2009). Promoting culturally safe care for First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients. A core curriculum for residents and physicians. Retrieved from https://www.ipac-amac.ca/downloads/core-curriculum. pdf

Kaura, S. A., & Allen, C. M. (2004). Dissatisfaction with relationship power and dating violence perpetration by men and women. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19(5), 576-588.

Legacy of Hope Foundation. (2014). Hope and healing: The legacy of the Indian residential school systems. Ottawa, Canada: Legacy of Hope Foundation.

MacDonell, K. W. (2012). The combined and independent impact of witnessed intimate partner violence and child maltreatment. Partner Abuse, 3(3), 358–378.

Ontario Native Women’s Association. (2007). A strategic framework to end violence against Aboriginal women. Thunder Bay, ON.

Proulx, J., & Perrault, S. (2000). No place for violence: Canadian Aboriginal alternatives. Halifax: Fernwood.

Rojas, E. Y., & Gretton, H. M. (2007). Background, offence characteristics, and criminal outcomes of Aboriginal youth who sexually offend: A closer look at Aboriginal youth intervention needs. Sexual Abuse, 19, 257-283.

Shea, B., Nahwegahbow, A., & Andersson, N. (2010). Reduction of family violence in Aboriginal communities: A systematic review of interventions and approaches. Pimatisiwin: A Journal of Aboriginal and Indigenous Community Health, 8(2), 35-60.

Shepard, M., & Campbell, J. (1992). The Abusive Behavior Inventory: A measure of psychological and physical abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 7(3), 291-205.

Simpson, L. E., Atkins, D. C., Gattis, K. S., & Christensen, A. (2008). Low-level relationship aggression and couple therapy outcomes. Journal of Family Psychology, 22(1), 102-11.

Sioui, R., & Thibault, J. (2001). The relevance of a cultural adaptation for Aboriginals of the Reintegration Potential Reassessment Scale (RPRS). Research Report R-109. Ottawa, ON: Research Branch, Correctional

Service Canada.

Stanley, N., & Humphreys, C. (2017). Identifying the key components of a “whole family” intervention for families experiencing domestic violence and abuse. Journal of Gender-Based Violence, 1(1), 99-115

Straus, M. (2014). Addressing violence by female partners is vital to prevent or stop violence against women: Evidence from the multisite batterer intervention evaluation. Violence Against Women, 20, 889–899.

Thibodeau, S., & Nixon, G. (2013). Transformation for Native men with assaultive issues: The medicine wheel and Wilber’s spectrum of consciousness – A case study. The Canadian Journal of Native Studies, 33(1), 197-216.

Trevethan, S., Moore, J.P., & Naqitarvik, L. (2004). The Tupiq program for Inuit sexual offenders: A preliminary investigation. Research Report R-153. Ottawa, ON: Research Branch, Correctional Service Canada.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2012). They came for the children. Winnipeg, Manitoba: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Van der Woerd, K., Cox, D., & McDiarmid, T. (2006). A preliminary look at aggressive and violent behaviour in Aboriginal adolescent girls.

Pimatisiwin: A Journal of Aboriginal and Indigenous Community Health, 41, 119-134.

Watt, M. & Scrandis, D. (2013). Traumatic childhood exposures in the lives of male perpetrators of female intimate partner violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 28(14), 2813-2830.

Whitaker, D., Baker, C., Pratt, C., Reed., Suri, S., Pavlos, C., Nagy, B., & Silverman, J. (2007). A network model of providing culturally competent services for intimate partner violence and sexual violence.

Violence Against Women, 13(2), 190-209.

Woodin, E. M., & O’Leary, K. D. (2010). A brief motivational intervention for physically aggressive dating couples. Prevention Science, 11(4), 371-383

Wray, A. M., Hoyt, T., & Gerstle, M. (2013). Preliminary examination of a mutual intimate partner violence intervention among treatment-mandated couples. Journal of Family Psychology, 27(4), 664-670.

Zink, T., Klesges, L. M., Levin, L., & Putnam, F. (2007). Abuse Behavior Inventory: Cutpoint, validity, and characterization of discrepancies. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 22(7), 921-931.

Downloads

Published

2026-03-27

How to Cite

Wong, J., & Bouchard, J. (2026). TURNING STONES: DESCRIPTIVE AND PRELIMINARY EVALUATION FINDINGS OF AN INDIGENOUS, FAMILY-CENTERED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM. Canadian Journal of Native Studies, 40(2). Retrieved from https://journals.brandonu.ca/cjnsoa/article/view/3156