RESOLVing Violence

In this week's episode, we're joined by Sarah Mohammed as we explore the experiences of newcomers and children of newcomers in Saskatoon, who have faced social fracture due to not belonging to their original community. We discuss how they are searching for a community that aligns with their values and offers compatibility and reinforcement. Through their involvement in activist communities, these individuals have found solace in community care practices.

As these individuals strive for change and improvement in their lives, they progress towards practicing restorative self-care. Restorative self-care aims to compensate for the lack of support from their surroundings, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's identity and self-sustenance. However, the traditional wellness market fails to cater to their unique needs, leaving them to fight for their own care and protection.

The episode highlights the fulfilling nature of participating in the cycle of care, where individuals both receive and provide care within their communities. By redistributing resources, sharing knowledge, and organizing gatherings, these marginalized activists make a significant impact on their community's wellness. However, the cycle can also lead to burnout, feelings of hopelessness, and paralysis, necessitating a critical look at sustainable care practices.

Today's episode urges us to question and reshape our understanding of wellness, emphasizing the power of community care and advocating for a more inclusive and transformative approach to self-care. By centering the experiences of marginalized communities, we can create a society that consistently supports and uplifts all members, fostering true well-being and resilience.

Learn More About Our Guest:
Sarah Shandie Mohammed (she/her) is a qualitative social sciences researcher with a range of interests including cultural identity, subalternity, social media, and health and wellness of marginalized peoples. At present her work focuses on the care practices of racialized activists. She holds a BA in psychology from Penn State University and is completing a Master's in psychology at the University of Saskatchewan with an emphasis on Culture, Health, and Human Development. She is a Trinidadian-American migrant to Canada and settler on Treaty 6 Territory.

To connect with Sarah Mohammed, contact her at [email protected].

To learn more about Resolve SK, head to research-groups.usask.ca/resolve/

In today's episode of the Resolving Violence podcast the concept of restorative justice takes center stage. Dr. Cailey Strauss dives deep into the transformative power of victim-offender mediation, highlighting the importance of building connections and understanding between youth involved in offenses. The episode sheds light on the positive outcomes that can emerge through restorative justice practices and challenges conventional notions of justice within the traditional colonial system.

At the heart of this episode is the recognition that youth offenders are at a unique developmental stage, where their experiences can shape their future trajectories. Through hearing stories and experiences, the youth involved in defense gain insights and understanding about the impacts of their actions.

While restorative justice shows promising results, the podcast raises thought-provoking questions about the criteria for satisfaction and the role of mediators. It also examines the tension between researchers' objectivity and personal beliefs in promoting restorative justice.

Learn More About Our Guest:
Dr. Cailey Strauss (she/her) completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan in 2022. She has published research on attachment style in romantic relationships, as well as the restorative justice practice of victim offender mediation (VOM). Clinically, she has worked in various forensic psychology settings with youth and adults over the past 16 years. She is passionate about the need for healing within the current criminal justice system, and believes deeply that everyone has ability to learn and grow. Originally from Winnipeg, she now lives in Vancouver with her two cats, Zimbardo and Dexter.

To connect with Cailey Strauss, contact her at [email protected].

To learn more about Resolve SK, head to research-groups.usask.ca/resolve/

In the newest episode of the Resolving Violence podcast, we delve into current Canadian prairie-based research on violence and abuse. We have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Kelsi Toews, a registered doctoral psychologist who specializes in treating child and adolescent anxiety disorders, perinatal mental health, and child developmental disorders. Her passion lies in understanding trauma, particularly the role of gender in experiences of abuse and help-seeking.

In her groundbreaking dissertation research, Dr. Toews explores a topic that has long been under-researched: the help-seeking process of men who have experienced abusive relationships with women. By identifying the barriers that men face when seeking help for intimate partner abuse, Dr. Toews sheds light on an important, yet often overlooked, aspect of this issue. Her motivation to address this topic stems from the significant gap in research and the need to understand the unique nuances of masculinity in relation to abuse.

Men may have different perspectives and considerations when it comes to recognizing and seeking help for abuse compared to women. The stigma from friends and family also plays a significant role, as men fear being ridiculed or seen as weak. Service providers' negative biases towards male victims exacerbate these barriers and contribute to a cycle of silence and perpetuation of abuse.

Learn More About Our Guest:
Kelsi Toews (she/her) is a registered doctoral psychologist, currently practicing here in Saskatoon. She work in both the private and public sectors, and her main areas of focus include treatment of child and adolescent anxiety disorders and OCD, perinatal mental health, as well as assessment for child developmental disorders and mental health concerns. Her research interests center around trauma, specifically the role that gender plays in experiences of and help-seeking for trauma. 

To connect with Kelsi Toews, contact her at [email protected].

To learn more about Resolve SK, head to research-groups.usask.ca/resolve/

In the latest thought-provoking episode of the Resolving Violence podcast, Crystal Giesbrecht delves deep into the intersection of intimate partner violence (IPV) and animal maltreatment. Crystal, the director of research and communications at the Provincial Association Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PAADs), shares her findings from a groundbreaking study conducted in Saskatchewan in 2020. This episode sheds light on the importance of providing support for survivors of domestic violence who have animals, and the far-reaching implications of this issue.

Crystal emphasizes the availability of animal safekeeping programs offered by animal welfare organizations, humane societies, and SPCAs. These programs allow survivors to temporarily keep their pets while in a domestic violence shelter or during temporary relocation. Her research underscores the significance of partnerships between animal safekeeping programs and domestic violence agencies or the police. Such collaborations ensure a comprehensive response to the needs of survivors with animals.

By bringing attention to the availability of animal safekeeping programs, the importance of collaborative efforts, and the need to address resource disparities, this episode serves as a call to action. It urges listeners to support initiatives that prioritize the safety and well-being of both human and animal survivors of domestic violence. By working together, we can create a safer and more compassionate society for all.

Learn More About Our Guest:
Crystal Giesbrecht (she/her) has served as the Director of Research and Communications at the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS), the member association for domestic violence shelters and counselling centres, since January 2011. Her work at PATHS includes conducting research relating to intimate partner violence (IPV) and educating professionals and the public on best practices for supporting survivors of IPV. Crystal is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Justice Studies at the University of Regina and a Vanier Canada Scholar. She has conducted and published research relating to intimate partner violence in Saskatchewan, including the intersection of IPV, animal maltreatment, and animal safekeeping.

To learn more about Resolve SK, head to research-groups.usask.ca/resolve/

In this week's episode of the Resolving Violence podcast, we're joined by Jessica McLean; a passionate advocate and researcher in the field of gender-based violence. Tune in as she sheds light on the groundbreaking use of digital storytelling to empower survivors of abuse and violence. 

Jessica delves into how social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit have provided survivors with a voice by fostering discussions and support networks. Through anonymous forums and online communities, individuals can seek advice, validation, and professional guidance from strangers who have experienced similar situations.

The episode explores the methodology of digital storytelling, which involves participants sharing their stories and creating a unique form of art and storytelling through multimedia. McLean highlights how this process empowers survivors by providing them with a platform to express their deepest and darkest experiences, ultimately bringing them into the light.

An essential message from the episode is the need to set aside assumptions and truly listen to survivors. This means acknowledging that barriers, such as love for the abuser, financial constraints, or systemic issues, can prevent someone from leaving an abusive relationship. By centering the survivor's experiences and giving them space and a voice, genuine connections can be formed that facilitate healing and growth.

Learn More About Our Guest
Jessica McLean (she/her) is a recent M Ed. graduate in School and Counselling Psychology from the University of Saskatchewan who has worked with non-profits supporting survivors of gender-based violence in both direct and behind-the-scenes roles. Jess has a wide range of interests and passions including art, writing, photography, de-stigmatizing mental health, disability, and neurodiversity, and of course, intersectional and inclusive feminism.

To connect with Jessica McLean, contact her at [email protected].

To learn more about Resolve SK, head to research-groups.usask.ca/resolve/

In the latest episode of the Resolving Violence podcast, we dive into the complex world of the incel community and its potential connection to body image issues with assistant professor Brandon Sparks. This episode uncovers thought-provoking insights and challenges regarding a group often misunderstood by society.

Sparks conducts his research by drawing from interviews with several incels. Through this he discovers that not all of these individuals still seek a romantic relationship. Many feel that their youth was wasted in pursuit of love, leading them to identify as incels due to their perceived failures. However, this diverse group includes those with different aspirations, such as becoming parents, finding career success, or pursuing personal hobbies.

To grasp the nature of the incel community, it is crucial to go beyond the narrow concept of seeking a romantic or sexual partner. For many incels, it goes beyond that; it's about longing for a sense of belonging and being cared for. It becomes a profound psychological distress when these individuals fail to form meaningful relationships despite their efforts.

This episode offers a nuanced perspective on the incel community and its potential connection to body image issues. By delving into the challenges faced by these individuals, the episode encourages us to reframe our understanding and approach to therapy.

Learn More About Our Guest
Brandon Sparks (he/him) is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Forensic Psychology at Kingston University. He has undertaken a number of studies on incels (involuntary celibates) using both survey- and interview-based approaches to better contextualize the issues faced by incels and how practitioners can better help them. His primary research area is in the domain of sexual violence, particularly technology-facilitated sexual violence and has been actively involved with the Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse since 2018.

To connect with Brandon Sparks, contact him at [email protected].

To learn more about Resolve SK, head to research-groups.usask.ca/resolve/

This week's episode of the RESOLVing Violence Podcast we sit down with Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg, to delve into her research on victim body weight and its influence on perceptions of sexual violence cases. This thought-provoking study sheds light on an often overlooked factor in understanding and addressing issues related to sexual violence.

Dr. Zidenberg conducted an online survey where participants were presented with vignettes depicting cases of sexual violence involving dating partners. The study explored how perceptions differed based on the victim's body weight. Surprisingly, the results indicated that when the victim was described as thin, participants tended to have more negative attitudes towards the perpetrator. However, when the victim was described as overweight, blame was disproportionately placed on the victim.

These findings highlight the profound impact that weight biases have on how society perceives and responds to sexual violence. The study shows that individuals with larger bodies may face harsher judgment and blame when victimized, perpetuating harmful attitudes and hindering effective support for survivors. It underscores the urgent need to address weight-related stigma and biases in the context of sexual violence.

The Resolving Violence Podcast, through this insightful episode brings to light the significant link between victim body weight and the perception of sexual violence cases. This research study underscores the need for greater awareness, understanding, and action to combat weight biases in our society.

Learn More About Our Guest
Alexandra M. Zidenberg, PhD, (she/her) is an incoming assistant professor of psychology at the Royal Military College of Canada. She completed her PhD in Applied Social Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan and served as a postdoctoral researcher at McGill University. Her research tends to focus on forensic topics and, particularly, sexual offending. Outside of her forensic work, she has a growing line of research focused on stigma related to tattooed mental health professionals.

To connect with Alexandra Zidenberg, contact her at [email protected].

To learn more about Resolve SK, head to research-groups.usask.ca/resolve/

In a world where accurate data is paramount to addressing and resolving societal issues, the absence of a comprehensive tracking tool for gender violence in Saskatchewan is a pressing concern. In our debut episodes of the Resolving Violence Podcast, we interviewed Karen Wood, a renowned researcher and former director of Resolve Saskatchewan. She sheds light on the critical need to accurately measure the rates of gender violence in the province and highlights the limitations of current methods relying on national surveys.

Wood underscores the importance of having an accurate baseline to determine the effectiveness of interventions in reducing gender violence rates. Shockingly, Saskatchewan has been reported to have the highest provincial rates of femicides, police-reported crimes, intimate partner violence, and sexual misconduct in the workplace. However, these statistics are just the tip of the iceberg. Wood emphasizes that they are underestimates of prevalence, leaving us with an incomplete picture of the issue.

One major challenge lies in the absence of a shared understanding of what constitutes gender violence. Different definitions are used by government agencies, police, medical professionals, and statistical agencies, hindering data collection and analysis. Furthermore, societal factors such as underreporting, recall bias, and lack of recognition and naming of abusive behaviors further hinder accurate representation. Accessibility issues, particularly for rural and marginalized communities, contribute to the exclusion of key populations from data collection.

Resolving Violence Podcast aims to shed light on pressing issues like this, providing valuable insights from experts like Karen Wood. Stay tuned for more thought-provoking episodes as we work towards resolving violence, and creating a safer and more inclusive society for all.

Learn More About Our Guest
With roots in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan, Karen (she/her) is a researcher and creative writer whose work is inspired by the nourishing beauty of the land and fueled by a commitment to addressing gendered violence. Informed by years of experience in both academic and community practice, Karen delights in the extraordinary capacity of artistic expression to create space for social and political engagement and activism.

To connect with Karen Wood, contact her at [email protected].

To learn more about Resolve SK, head to research-groups.usask.ca/resolve/

Exploring Violence: Research-Led Perspectives on Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery

Welcome to the first episode of the Resolving Violence Podcast.

In this episode, we introduce Resolve Saskatchewan, a prairie-based research network focused on ending violence and abuse. Our host, Dr. Jorden Cummings, shares their background and expertise in the field of violence prevention and intervention. We discuss the origins of Resolve and its evolution over the past 25 years. With the support of the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation and the University of Saskatchewan, this podcast aims to bridge the gap between research and practice. 

We will tackle a wide range of topics, including gendered violence, myths about rape, intimate partner violence experienced by men, mental health among the community, and the impact of child trauma on parents. Stay tuned as we bring you insightful interviews with experts in the field. If you find our content valuable, please share it with others so that we can collectively work towards resolving violence. Thank you for joining us, and until next time, let's learn together.

To learn more about Resolve SK, head to research-groups.usask.ca/resolve/