Wednesday, November 26th, 2025
12:00 to 1:30 p.m. ET | Online
Presented by Heather Howe, MSW, RSW

Description:

This webinar equips social workers with practical strategies to support clients facing risk from intimate partner violence. Learn how to have meaningful conversations about safety, address ambivalence, and co-create flexible plans that adapt to each client’s unique circumstances. Grounded in a client-centered approach, the session highlights five key elements of safety planning: avoid, de-escalate, escape, seek help, and physical self-defence; while recognizing and building on the strengths clients already use in their daily lives.

Learning Goals: 

• How to identify what your client is already doing to assess her/their own risk and to safety plan.
• How to work with your client to build a flexible and comprehensive safety plan focusing on 5 elements.
• How to understand and work with your client's ambivalence around safety planning.

Presenter Bio:

Heather Howe (she/her) is a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor, and trainer who specializes in working with adult survivors of sexual assault/abuse, intimate partner violence, family violence, and all forms of violence against women/gender-based violence. She is also a Wen-Do Women's Self Defence Instructor. Heather has presented her DV/IPV risk assessment and safety planning workshop to social workers, nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals across Ontario.

Pricing:

• OASW Members: Free (OASW member ID # required)
• Non-Members: $20 + HST

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