On-Demand Event

Supporting Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: Tools for Risk Assessment & Safety Planning
Original Air Date: November 26th, 2025 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. ET  
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.

Available On-Demand Until 31st January 2026

Pricing: 

• OASW Members: FREE (Member ID# required)
• Non-Members: $20 + HST

NOTE ABOUT REGISTRATION QUESTIONS:
OASW is committed to inclusion and promoting a diverse range of identities, experiences, perspectives, and voices across all areas of the Association. As such, the registration contains some optional questions that are intended to assist us to better understand our social work community and ensure that our work is reflective of the diverse membership of OASW and our profession.

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