A scoping review on intimate partner violence in Canada’s immigrant communities
Date: September 3, 2018 Author(s): Philomina Okeke-Ihejirika, Sophie Yohani, Janine Muster, Alphonse Ndem, Thane Chambers, Virginia Pow This paper presents a scoping review of existing research on intimate partner violence (IPV) within immigrant communities in Canada. Drawing on 30 studies published over two decades, the authors examine how immigrant women experience, interpret, and respond to […]
Barriers in accessing intimate partner violence services
Date: March 25, 2025 Author(s): Tatiana Sanhueza-Morales, Sonia Michaelsen, Nassera Touati, Lourdes Rodriguez del Barrio This paper examines the barriers immigrant and minority ethnic women face when accessing intimate partner violence (IPV) services in a marginalized, multicultural neighbourhood in Montreal, Canada. Using both survivor and community worker perspectives, the study highlights how systemic, organizational, and […]
Nesting ground report 2024 – 25
The “Nesting Grounds” program are weekly community arts workshops that emerged in response to participants’ requests for more sustainable, long-term arts programming that supports well-being in a non-threatening and destigmatizing way. Participants shared that arts programs supported their mental health and sense of connection, while expressing a need for ongoing opportunities beyond short-term workshops. Learn […]
Project glossary
The HEAL glossary is a practical resource for service providers and researchers working with newcomer survivors of gender-based and domestic violence. It provides accessible and culturally responsive definitions of key terms including implementation research, expressive arts therapy, mental health, and trauma-informed care in contexts where expressive arts support healing. This glossary is designed to foster […]
Evaluating arts-based programs
Evaluation is crucial to understanding the efficacy of an intervention. The HEAL Project adopted many mixed method evaluation approaches to measure the change in behaviours, knowledge, and attitudes of participants who completed the program. The evaluation methods focused on relationship-centered and trauma-informed approach that prioritizes dignity, choice, emotional safety, and cultural meaning. Read more about […]
Findings and impact
The HEAL Project demonstrates that trauma-informed, culturally responsive expressive arts interventions can meaningfully support the healing and well-being of newcomer survivors of domestic and family violence. The evaluation used a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative insights from participants, peer facilitators, and community partners with quantitative measures of program outcomes. This approach provided a comprehensive insight of […]
Co-design reports
These co-design reports capture the collaborative activities, expert insights, and community-informed processes that shaped the development of the HEAL 12-week expressive arts program. The project gathered knowledge across conference engagement, facilitated co-creation sessions, and in-depth informational interviews. Together, these documents reflect how the HEAL Project integrates Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) to ensure that program […]
Collective painting gallery booklets
These Gallery Booklets feature image insights into 12 collective paintings produced from the HEAL Programs. Six cohorts of newcomer women engaged in the 12 session expressive arts intervention with a total of 52 participants completing both the program and evaluation process. Each booklet provides a glimpse into the transformative power of art as a pathway […]
Healing arts for newcomer well-being event
On November 12, 2025, Access Alliance hosted Healing Arts for Newcomer Family Well-being at the Toronto Reference Library. Attendees were welcomed into a space filled with warmth and colour. It was an energetic, inspiring evening, bringing together community members, and professionals from the arts, mental health, healthcare, and settlement sectors. This event marked the culmination […]
Subgroup program reports
The project piloted the 12-session expressive arts HEAL Program across five distinct newcomer communities, including Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Tigrinya and shelter-based participants, and 2LGBTQI+ groups. Each report highlights the unique experiences, strengths, and needs of newcomer families within these communities. The subgroup reports underscore the importance of tailored gender-based violence support resources and services, challenging […]