Awareness to Action: A Conversation on Intimate Partner Violence

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Intimate partner violence (IPV) often hides in plain sight—behind closed doors, in subtle behaviors, or in silence. It harms not just individuals, but families, friends, and entire communities. While awareness is growing, many people still miss the early warning signs, misunderstand the complex dynamics of abuse, or feel unsure about how to offer real, safe support.

How can friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers intervene effectively without causing harm? And how can our community shift from passive awareness to meaningful, coordinated action?

Some view IPV as a "private matter," but it's a shared responsibility-one that calls for compassion, education, and collaboration across sectors. Join Lake Country Health for Awareness to Action: A Conversation on Intimate Partner Violence—an evening dedicated to expert insights, open and respectful dialogue, and practical strategies to better recognize, respond to, and prevent IPV.

This is a safe, inclusive space for everyone in the District of Lake Country and surrounding communities—whether you're a concerned neighbor, a parent, a friend, a professional, or simply someone who wants to make a difference. Together, let’s build a stronger, more supportive community. All are welcome.

Panelists

Zandi Moya. Zandile Moyo is the Executive Director of NOW Canada and a systems-level leader focused on transforming how communities respond to violence and social inequity. Her work challenges the notion that safety is an individual responsibility, emphasizing the role of institutions, policies, and community systems in creating real safety.

Working at the intersection of health, housing, justice, and community services, Zandile champions coordinated, culturally safe, trauma-informed approaches that move beyond crisis response toward prevention and accountability. She is deeply committed to centring underserved communities, racialized survivors, immigrants, and refugees in policy and systems change, bringing a bold, values-driven voice to conversations about collective responsibility and long-term transformation.

Karen Mason. Karen Mason (she/her) is co-founder and executive director for Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research (SOAR), and former executive director of Kelowna Women’s Shelter in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. A seasoned non-profit leader, communicator, and community collaborator, Mason brings 35+ years of career experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors to her work advocating for survivors of IPV, conducting knowledge translation and mobilization activities, and supporting research, development, and dissemination of promising practices.
Mason has training in trauma-informed practice and advanced strangulation prevention and is a member of the Pink Concussions Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury Task Force, the ENIGMA International Consortium Working Group on Brain Injury in Intimate Partner Violence, the Women’s Health Research Cluster, and the Canadian Concussion Network’s Advisory Council.

Dr. John Oliffe. Dr. John Oliffe is a Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Men’s Health Promotion at the School of Nursing, University of British Columbia (UBC). Founder and lead investigator of UBC’s Men’s Health Research program, his work focuses on masculinities as it influences men’s health behaviours and illness management, and its impact on partners, families and overall life quality. Findings drawn from his research offer guidance to clinicians and researchers to advance men’s health in the areas of mental health promotion and suicide prevention.

Susannah-Joy. Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg is a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach with more than three decades of experience spanning psychotherapy, mental health coaching, and education. As a trauma specialist, her work focuses on recovery from PTSD, complex PTSD, developmental trauma, intimate partner violence (IPV), and childhood sexual abuse.

Her career includes international leadership roles, including Senior Clinical Supervisor at Kuwait’s first licensed mental health practice, and curriculum development and instruction in Canada, the Middle East, and India. Based in Kelowna, she co-founded William & Associates Counselling Services in 2015, co-facilitates an IPV intervention program, and serves as Board Chair of the SOAR Project. Susannah-Joy holds advanced certifications in traumatic stress studies, is a founding member of the PTSD Clinicians Exchange hosted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.