Advancing GBV Services Through Evidence: A Research-Led, Holistic, Culturally Competent Promising Practice Model for Immigrant Women and Families 

Financial dependence, language barriers, and social locations are common challenges for newcomer women during the settlement process. These factors can also increase vulnerability to gender-based violence (GBV).ⁱ While data on GBV among newcomer women remains limited, promising models are emerging to prevent violence and strengthen support systems. 

At the January Lunch & Learn session, Ivana Calina presented a research-informed promising practice model developed by the Canadian Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA). Grounded in research, evidence-based approaches, and informed by lived experiences, the model focuses on preventing and addressing GBV among newcomer women through a culturally competent, trauma-informed framework. 

The Uncovering Promising Futures Project 

Calina introduced the initiative as a multi-phase project designed to develop and implement a responsive GBV prevention and support model tailored to immigrant women and families. The project seeks to strengthen sector capacity by addressing intersectional needs and reducing barriers to accessing services. 

Central to the model is a commitment to empowering newcomer women to access resources independently and safely. Beyond responding to occurrence, the project aims to prevent its occurrence and recurrence by addressing the complex pressures families may experience during resettlement. 

Project Phases 

Calina outlined the three key stages in the project’s development: 

1. Model Review and Pilot Implementation: The team conducted a comprehensive review of existing practices and interviewed service providers to standardize processes. The refined model was piloted with 75 immigrant women in Calgary. 

2. Community Consultation and Online Adaptation: Community leaders were engaged to provide feedback. The model was then adapted for online delivery to improve accessibility and reach. This virtual version was piloted to ensure effectiveness. 

3. Evaluation and Knowledge Mobilization: The final stage focused on stakeholder engagement, evaluation, and data analysis. CIWA is currently developing tutorials and resources to support knowledge mobilization among policymakers, organizations, and researchers. 

Core Components of the Promising Practice Model 

The model integrates several structured components: 

Supportive Counselling: This includes a clearly defined service vision, mapped intake processes, standardized case documentation, and consistent counselling strategies. 

Assessment Tools and Safety Planning: Following intake, a comprehensive needs assessment is completed to identify immediate and longer-term priorities, including basic, employment, language, and other support needs. Using a strength-based lens, counsellors assess both risk and protective factors, then co-develop personalized safety plans with clients. 

Protocols and Guidelines: Although CIWA is not a crisis response organization, staff connect clients to emergency services when needed using a structured asset map. A new after-hours crisis protocol has also been introduced to improve response pathways. 

Referral and Follow-Up Framework: The model emphasizes coordinated referrals and structured follow-up to ensure clients can access services and navigate barriers. A key objective is building client agency and long-term independence. The project also strengthened online counselling services by developing consent protocols, enhancing digital features, and comparing implementation practices against best practice literature.  Identified gaps were addressed during the pilot phases. 

Workforce Capacity and Professional Standards 

Calina emphasized that all counsellors hold certified education in Psychology or Social Work. The organization is also developing a structured professional development aligned with the model, including recommended coursework and mandatory training requirements to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery. 

Baseline Evaluation Findings  

Preliminary evaluation results indicate strong client outcomes and provide an early benchmark for ongoing evaluation. For instance, with a 50% survey response rate, 95% of the respondents reported that they learned about protective factors and how to build on them. 

Key Recommendations 

Based on early findings, the project recommends:  

• Continued emphasis on culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches. 

• Deeper investigation into barriers to service access. 

• Expanded qualitative feedback through interviews and focus groups. 

• Use of baseline to measure long-term impact. 

Community Engagement & Readiness for Scale-up 

Provincial engagement efforts demonstrate strong interest and sector readiness: 

• 13 presentations delivered across Alberta. 

• Significant interest from immigrant-serving organizations and shelters. 

• High relevance for multilingual and culturally diverse contexts. 

• Strong early client satisfaction and outcomes. 

Next Step 

 The project’s next phase includes: 

• Piloting the model with external agencies. 

• Developing tracking systems to measure uptake and commitment. 

• Strengthening follow-up workflows to ensure sustained impact.  

The Lunch & Learn series is a monthly virtual gathering hosted by the Newcomer Knowledge Hub. We provide informative presentations delivered by experts in the settlement sector. Whether you are a service provider, policymaker, student, or simply curious about the world of settlement, we invite you to join us at our next session by registering here.