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Supporting Survivors at the Intersection of Mental Health and Gender-Based Violence: Approaches for Practice
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English
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ASL
This Special Event was presented and recorded on January 13, 2026.
Presented by Eva Zachary.
In this Special Event, Eva Zachary, Executive Director of Muskoka Victim Services, explored the realities, pressures, and possibilities at the intersection of mental health and gender-based violence. Drawing on her experience in crisis intervention, trauma services, and victim advocacy — as well as insights from her participation on provincial committees such as the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) — she discussed key patterns observed through practice, case reviews, and cross-sector collaboration.
Grounded in trauma- and violence-informed (TVI) principles, this session highlighted practical ways service providers can recognize and respond to mental health concerns; reduce stigma; and support survivor safety, autonomy, and dignity — even when working within systemic constraints.
The session also explored promising approaches and strategies for direct service work, including supporting survivors in crisis, navigating co-occurring risks, strengthening communication across sectors, and integrating collaborative, coordinated practices that honour survivor choice and promote sectoral alignment.
Special Event Recording
Learning Objectives
By participating in this Special Event, participants will enhance their ability to:
- Recognize key mental health considerations that arise in the context of GBV, including how trauma, crisis responses, and mental health challenges intersect with patterns observed in practice and case reviews.
- Identify how stigma, misconceptions, and systemic constraints can shape survivors’ experiences of safety, help-seeking, and access to support.
- Apply practical, trauma- and violence-informed strategies for supporting survivors presenting with mental health concerns, including approaches for responding to crisis and co-occurring risks.
- Explore opportunities to strengthen communication, organizational practices, and cross-sector collaboration across GBV, mental health, and allied systems, including navigating role limitations while contributing to coordinated, survivor-centred response planning.
Speaker
Eva Zachary is the Executive Director of Muskoka Victim Services and a long-time advocate for survivors, with more than 15 years of experience in conflict resolution, crisis intervention, victim advocacy, and community collaboration. She holds designations as a Community and Workplace Traumatologist, Trauma Services Specialist, and Compassion Fatigue Educator, and is certified in mediation and critical incident stress management.
Eva is a member of Ontario’s Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) with the Office of the Chief Coroner, serves on the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Victim Assistance Committee, and advises the Ontario Network of Victim Service Providers. In her independent practice, she provides mediation services and training to frontline workers and social service providers.
This Special Event was presented and recorded on January 13, 2026.
Presented by Eva Zachary.
In this Special Event, Eva Zachary, Executive Director of Muskoka Victim Services, explored the realities, pressures, and possibilities at the intersection of mental health and gender-based violence. Drawing on her experience in crisis intervention, trauma services, and victim advocacy — as well as insights from her participation on provincial committees such as the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) — she discussed key patterns observed through practice, case reviews, and cross-sector collaboration.
Grounded in trauma- and violence-informed (TVI) principles, this session highlighted practical ways service providers can recognize and respond to mental health concerns; reduce stigma; and support survivor safety, autonomy, and dignity — even when working within systemic constraints.
The session also explored promising approaches and strategies for direct service work, including supporting survivors in crisis, navigating co-occurring risks, strengthening communication across sectors, and integrating collaborative, coordinated practices that honour survivor choice and promote sectoral alignment.
Special Event Recording
Learning Objectives
By participating in this Special Event, participants will enhance their ability to:
- Recognize key mental health considerations that arise in the context of GBV, including how trauma, crisis responses, and mental health challenges intersect with patterns observed in practice and case reviews.
- Identify how stigma, misconceptions, and systemic constraints can shape survivors’ experiences of safety, help-seeking, and access to support.
- Apply practical, trauma- and violence-informed strategies for supporting survivors presenting with mental health concerns, including approaches for responding to crisis and co-occurring risks.
- Explore opportunities to strengthen communication, organizational practices, and cross-sector collaboration across GBV, mental health, and allied systems, including navigating role limitations while contributing to coordinated, survivor-centred response planning.
Speakers
Eva Zachary is the Executive Director of Muskoka Victim Services and a long-time advocate for survivors, with more than 15 years of experience in conflict resolution, crisis intervention, victim advocacy, and community collaboration. She holds designations as a Community and Workplace Traumatologist, Trauma Services Specialist, and Compassion Fatigue Educator, and is certified in mediation and critical incident stress management.
Eva is a member of Ontario’s Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) with the Office of the Chief Coroner, serves on the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Victim Assistance Committee, and advises the Ontario Network of Victim Service Providers. In her independent practice, she provides mediation services and training to frontline workers and social service providers.
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