Together Against Violence Network
Evaluation and Future Plans
The Network has utilized both formal and informal
methods of evaluation. Formally, two random sample telephone surveys of 500
adult residents (18 years of age and older) of North Vancouver City, North
Vancouver District, and West Vancouver were conducted in January 1994 (Phase 1)
and January 1995 (Phase ll). The purpose of these studies was to assess the
effectiveness of the Network's activities and to obtain the necessary
information to guide the development of future activities.
Some
interesting findings from the January 1995 survey include:
·
31% of respondents were aware of the
campaign.
·
39% of those aware of the campaign,
participated by wearing purple ribbons, talking or reading about violence
related issues, attending presentations or taking action in some other way
towards violence prevention.
·
The majority (52%) of respondents,
who had participated, stated that their level of awareness of violence‑related
issues had been raised as a result of the campaign.
·
4 in 10 respondents who participated
reported that the way they thought about violence changed as a result of
information they received during the campaign.
·
One third of the respondents who
participated in the campaign reported that their response to situations of
violence had changed as a result of information they received during the
campaign.
·
Two thirds of the respondents who
had participated in the campaign stated that they would become more involved in
trying to reduce violence in their community as a result of the campaign.
When asked what
we can do as a community to reduce the incidence of violence in our community,
the top two responses were:
·
More education (37%);
·
More Blockwatch/police‑community
interaction (27%).
One last
interesting result was that 44% of respondents reported that they or a member
of their family had personally experienced violence (compared to 31% in the
previous survey).
Another
community survey was planned for January 2000. However, this had to be
postponed to January 2002 due to the drastic reduction in resources and the
need to focus on restructuring the Network.
Informally, the
Network uses a number of methods of evaluation. The goals and objectives for the
year are evaluated (see next section ‑ Together
Against Violence Objectives) using indicators such as numbers and types of
organizations participating, number and types of events, kind of violence
prevention initiatives developed in the community and levels of satisfaction.
Three years ago, the Network conducted an informal survey of its members, which
examined the logistics around Network meetings, the mandate, and funding
sources. The survey revealed that members considered creating awareness and maintaining
November as TAV month as top priority activities, followed by the commitment to
act as a clearinghouse for information and to encourage the development of
related policies and initiatives.
In January
2001, a questionnaire was again forwarded to all North Shore schools to
determine the level of participation during the last TAV month. The results
were very positive and included the following findings.
Overall, 89% of School District 44 and 45 schools responded by completing the
questionnaire. All respondent schools (100%) participated by displaying TAV
month materials and 71% of respondents included information on TAV in the
parent newsletter. Students and staff made 7,200 purple ribbons and well over
70% of respondent schools participated in the last TAV campaign with special
activities/events. It is worthwhile noting that school participation has
steadily increased every year and this last year is no exception. A summary of
the survey results was sent to all North Shore schools in the form of a school
bulletin (see appendix).
The Together Against Violence Network
believes that ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the TAV initiative are
important components of its ability to remain responsive to the needs of the
community.