This session will provide an overview of the process of engaging with community to create and work towards implementation of a primary prevention strategy to address domestic and sexual violence. Through this session we will review the disconnection of knowledge, research, innovation and necessary behaviours and actions when achieving large scale social change between communities and researchers/experts. We will discuss our collectives equitable framework that promotes the voices of communities and community members as the primary data point all activities and initiatives start and end with while researchers support and contribute to communities experiences and expertise.

IMPACT Alberta has been working with over 350 stakeholders and members over the past two years to develop and create a primary prevention framework to addressing domestic and sexual violence. Through this presentation we will provide a case study of how we used a community led approach to this work, ensuring that communities across our diverse province are seen and heard in the creation and articulation process. The presenters will review the challenge of aligning community and research, the role that the backbone has in navigating the grey spaces between both groups and the overall impact this has on the successful creation and implementation of a large scale systems change initiative.