Making a Bigger Wave to End Women Abuse

The Grey Bruce Domestic Violence Coordinating Committee is part of a collation of coordinating committees in the southwest region. The report Making a Bigger Wave to End Women Abuse outlines a Communication Strategy for the southwest region to engage all citizens in building safe and strong communities. The report outlines a common vision to guide the work, goals and strategies to engage citizens in addressing woman abuse. It also includes some practical suggestions on how we can work together within the southwest region with common messages and strategies that will "make a bigger wave" and help to make ending woman abuse a mainstream issue in our communities. This repot is available as an MS Word Document. Click to view or download Making A Bigger Wave. If you have any comments or questions, email us.

Neighbours, Friends and Families Campaign

The province of Ontario launched a public education campaign to help people recognize the signs of abuse and know what action to take in June 2006. The Neighbours, Friends and Families Campaign is rolling out in communities across Ontario. The campaign includes new resources on How to Talk to Men Who are Abusive, Safety Planning for Women Who are Abused, and How You can Identify and Help Women at Risk of Abuse. The provincial campaign includes an excellent website with downloadable resources for community members: www.neighboursfriendsandfamilies.on.ca

The Grey Bruce Domestic Violence Coordinating Committee launched the Grey Bruce Neighbours Friends and Families Campaign on November 16th.

Community Champion from all walks of life in Grey and Bruce have joined the campaign to get the word out to their networks that woman abuse can be prevented. Over the next months there will be public educations events in communities, at kitchen tables and in workplaces throughout the two counties.

Our Community Champions

Rev. Cathy Hird, Owen Sound
Dave Trumble, Grey Bruce Labour Council
Jan Johnstone, Trustee, Bluewater Board of Education Dan Purdon, South East Grey Community Outreach
Joachim Ostertag, The Men’s Program Grey-Bruce
John Christie, City Councillor, Owen Sound
Wendy Margetts, Partner Abuse and Sexual Assault Care Centre
Peter Richards,Bruce Power
Paul Holmes, Inspector, South Bruce OPP, Kincardine
Bill Legate, Teacher, Markdale
Rev.Brian Goodings, Thornbury
Lewis and Marilyn Coffman, Paisley
Rev. Ed Laksmanis, Wiarton
Carol Burns, Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey
Kathi Cole, The Women’s Centre (Grey & Bruce)
Janet English, Tobermory
Trevor Dykstra, Sauble Beach

If you would like to join the campaign, or are interested in holding a public education event please contact:

Project Coordination: Colleen Purdon (519) 376-7145 cpurdon@bmts.com

Project Support: Trish Meekins (519) 372-1113 x 226 gboutreach@whsbg.on.ca

Poverty

Tools and Resources to Address Poverty in Rural Communities

Final Report: No Wrong Door - Creating a Collaborative Rural Response for Women with Abuse, Mental Health and Addictions Issues

The Mental Health, Addictions and Abuse subcommittee of the GBVPCC has released the final report No Wrong Door - Creating a Collaborative Rural Response for Women with Abuse, Mental Health and Addictions Issues.

This report is the result of a one year research and community development project funded by the Ontario Victim Services Secretariat, Ministry of the Attorney General.

The objectives of the project were:
- to identify gaps in service for women with abuse, mental health and/or abuse issues;
- to hear from women how to better meet their service needs;
- to develop community strategies to improve service delviery through coordination and training;
- to develop community strategies to address service gaps that compromise the health and safety of women with multiple needs.

The research identified the following gaps and capacity issues in Grey and Bruce:

- early intervention and prevention strategies
- access to family physicians, pyschiatrists and psychologists
- a recovery home for women in Grey and Bruce
- Information and education for women on concurrent issues
- A voice for women in treatment and service planning/delivery
- Trauma informed counselling services for women with mental health and addiction issues
- Counselling and programs for the children of women with concurrent issues,
- Long term support for women with concurrent issues,
- Community safe places for women with concurrent issues
- Better service access
- A common understanding and approach to women across the service system
- Common screening and assessment processes across the service system
- A collaborative community approach to services
- Coordinated strategies to address stigma surrounding mental health, addiction and abuse issues in the community.

Two community workshops with women dealing with concurrent issues and providers of services from the mental health, addictions and abuse sectors were held to identify strategies and priorities for action.

Six priority areas for change and action were identified:
1. Women of Experience steer the process of change
2. Intersector Collaboration
3. Formal Protocols
4. Common Screening and Assessment Tools
5. Intersector Communication and Intersector Case Coordination
6. Joint Training

The GBVPCC has received funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services to work with the community to develop follow up plans for implementation of the project report recommendations with mental health, addiction and abuse sectors

A copy of the No Wrong Door Report is attached. Print copies are available by contacting the GBVPCC through the website.

Community Services and Supports

There are many services and supports for women, children and men who are dealing with abuse in Grey and Bruce. You will find a brief description of local services and contact information here. If you or someone you know is at risk of woman abuse, or have safety concerns, call the 24 hour Woman Abuse crisis lines at (519) 371-1600 or (519) 396-9655. If you are concerned about a child at risk call the Children's Aid Society at (519) 376-7893 or (519) 881-1822. If you have concerns about Elder Abuse, call (519) 371-4357.

In an emergency situation or if you are concerned about an adult or child's safety call your local police or 911.