Common programs and integrated services shall provide information to those who received or are affected by their services. This is referred to as Fair notice that such a multi-agency program/initiative exists. Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all, staff, clients, and community members, and as such, is a member of the Sudbury – Espanola – Manitoulin Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) Protocol.
What is a violence threat risk assessment (VTRA) protocol?
The protocol is designed to enhance communication between all partners. It is incumbent upon the partners to share necessary and appropriate information that may initiate or facilitate the Assessment of Risk to Others (ARTO) process. It is a trauma-informed and equity-inclusion guided practice that utilizes an Assessment of Risk to Others (ARTO) process to:
- To ensure the safety of all individuals,
- Begin to understand the factors that contribute to the Individual of Concern’s (IOC’s) threatening or high risk behaviour,
- View the Individual of Concern (IOC) as in need of intervention and support rather than discipline.
- Be proactive in developing an intervention plan that addresses the emotional and physical safety of the Individual of Concern (IOC). It may include disciplinary action but will include appropriate supports to aid the Individual of Concern (IOC) in developing and using more appropriate strategies,
- Promotes the emotional and physical safety of all.
It is NOT a Disciplinary tool or response.
What is a Threat?
A threat is an expression of intent to do harm or act out violently against someone or something. Threats may be verbal, written, drawn, posted on the Internet, or made by gesture. Threats must be taken seriously, investigated, and responded to appropriately.
Duty to report?
Often when we hear in the media about a violent incident, we learn that the Individual of Concern had made threats in advance of acting violently. To keep our communities safe, staff and community members all need to act responsibly and report all threat-related behaviours and high-risk activities. This report can be made to any community partner of the Sudbury – Espanola – Manitoulin VIOLENCE THREAT RISK ASSESSMENT (VTRA) PROTOCOL.
When a report of a threat is received by any member of this protocol, and upon screening it is determined the threshold for the “Categories for Action” is met, the Sudbury – Espanola – Manitoulin VIOLENCE THREAT RISK ASSESSMENT (VTRA) PROTOCOL will be activated.
Categories for Action” may include, but are not limited to:
- Serious violence or violence with intent to kill,
- Violence with intent to do serious bodily harm,
- Verbal/written threats to kill others (“clear, direct and plausible”),
- Verbal/written threats to do serious bodily harm (“clear, direct and plausible”),
- Social Media/Technology generated threats to harm/kill others,
- Possession of weapons (including replicas),
- Bomb threats (making and/or detonating explosive devices),
- Fire setting,
- Sexual intimidation or assault,
- Ongoing pervasive and targeted bullying and/or harassment,
- Gang related intimidation and violence,
- Hate incidents motivated by factors including, but not limited to, race, culture, religion, and/or sexual and gender diversity,
- Suicidal Ideation or attempts as related to “Fluidity” or “Conspiracy of Two or More”.
CAN I REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE?
It is important for all parties to engage in the process. If for some reason there is a reluctance to participate in the process, by either the Individual of Concern or parent/guardian, the threat assessment will continue in order to ensure and restore a safe and inclusive environment for all.
If you have any questions regarding the Community Threat Assessment Protocol, please contact Dana Crane, Quality Assurance Coordinator and VTRA Lead at the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board at 705-862-7850 ext. 115 or by email at dana.crane@msdsb.net.