De-Escalation Training

De-Escalation Training

As Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC ramp up construction, there is the potential for tense, unsafe, or even violent interactions when we are engaging in outreach activities in our communities. We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all My Sea to Sky volunteers, and we believe it is important to develop the skills needed to defuse dangerous situations.

This workshop by the Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute is designed to teach people to de-escalate potentially violent situations through assertiveness and interpersonal communication. The training will explore how anger and violence interplay, including opportunities for self-assessment of personal communication styles. Participants will develop a clear understanding of how to assess the potential for violence and respond with a diverse set of interpersonal tools and strategies designed to defuse potentially violent situations.

These will be skills you can use as a My Sea to Sky volunteer, but will also be useful in all parts of your life!

The training is virtual, with lots of opportunities for practice and participation. There is no cost to join, but spots are limited so make sure you RSVP now.

Learning objectives

• Understand the role of anger in violent incidents
• Identify your own styles of interaction
• Describe a framework for defusing potentially violent situations
• Identify potential risk factors
• Apply the principles learned to your own environment

Register your interest

Spots are limited, so please RSVP and let us know if your availability changes so we can make the place available to someone else.

Accessibility

This training is online, and we will have live closed captioning during the training.

What you require

You will need stable internet, a microphone, and a webcam.

A note on content

We will be discussing violence and policing, which may be difficult or triggering content for people. You will have opportunities to participate and share in discussions, but you will not be required to share any personal experiences. The facilitator, Leita, has expertise in hosting trauma-informed and anti-oppressive spaces, and your safety and comfort during the training will be prioritized.

About the trainer:

Leita McInnis

Leita (she/her) is an organizer, advocate, and therapist who supports people impacted by violence, policing, and the criminal (in)justice systems. Drawing on anti-oppressive, transformative, relational, and trauma-informed approaches in her practice, she works to support individuals as they unpack the impacts of systemic oppression and journey towards healing, wholeness, and reclamation. Prioritizing community-led initiatives, group work, and radical community building, Leita is committed to decolonization, resistance, and the de-professionalization of therapy.

Her practice focuses on the complexities of violence, dismantling the perpetrator/survivor binary, accountability, repair, and transformation. She has a profound belief that no one is disposable and comes to this work with a commitment to radical compassion, curiosity, and humility. As a trainer, Leita invites participants to reflect on their own experiences, co-creating a learning space where everyone feels comfortable to share their successes. She also provides opportunities to reflect on more difficult experiences, ask questions, and learn practical, relational approaches to supporting others.