What can you, as a concerned citizen, do to help end violence and abuse
in your community? The following resources provide information and programs
to which you can contribute as a volunteer working to educate the public,
provide support to victims, and/or help abusers learn other ways of managing
their emotions.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens
can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
— Margaret Mead , anthropologist
The purpose of A Safe Passage is to support
pregnant women who are in abusive relationships or who are survivors of
childhood sexual abuse, woman abuse or sexual assault. You can contribute
to that goal by involving yourself with one of the organizations or programs
that relate to ending violence against women and children.
There are, however, many other forms of violence and abuse that are not
discussed on this site yet which have devastating effects on the lives of
men, women and children. We have therefore also provided links to resources
that relate to ending other forms of violence and abuse.
There are many programs, services and community-based initiatives working
to end violence against women and children. These programs are leading the
way in innovation, research and community-capacity building [see note
on terminology] with their constant focus on holding abusive men accountable
for their behaviour.
Whether the programs are providing direct services to abusive partners
and fathers or educating and empowering everyday citizens to respond to
the issue of violence in their neighbourhoods, the common objective is to
increase the safety of women and children so that they may lead a life free
from abuse.
Please contact the organizations directly to inquire about services and
training opportunities.
Resources
A Woman's Journey from Domestic Violence Victim
to Survivor: The Door
This new Interactive Art exhibit is now available on the Gift From Within
website. With clickable pictures individuals can look at different sections
of the door, creating an interactive experience. This exhibit is heart-wrenching
and powerful and will touch the hearts and souls of anyone who sees it.
Walk Through the Door, Take a Journey
http://giftfromwithin.org/html/artpage3.html
Neighbours, Friends and Families
"Neighbours, Friends and Families is a campaign to raise awareness
of the signs of woman abuse so people who are close to an at-risk woman
or an abusive man can help."
Because repeated violence and potentially lethal violence can often be predicted,
lives can be saved with appropriate and timely interventions. Neighbours,
Friends and Families provides information on how to recognize abuse, how
to offer support and where to turn for help in Ontario.
www.neighborsfriendsandfamilies.on.ca
Caring Dads
Caring Dads is an intervention program designed for men who have abused
or neglected their children or exposed them to abuse of their mothers.
www.caringdadsprogram.com
Muslim Family Safety Project
"The Muslim Family Safety Project is a collaborative project between
local Muslim communities and the London Coordinating Committee to End Woman
Abuse (LCCEWA). This project supports dialogue between the Muslim communities
and local anti-violence agencies to build capacity [see note
on terminology] in mainstream services to conduct effective outreach
and meet the needs of Muslim women who want or need assistance to seek safety
for themselves and their children."
www.lfcc.on.ca/mfsp.html
Emerge
"Because Wanting to Stop is NOT Enough... Founded in 1977,
Emerge was the first abuser education program in the United States... Emerge's
mission is to eliminate violence in intimate relationships."
www.emergedv.com
At A Safe Passage we recognize that there
are many other forms of violence and abuse that take place in the home that
are not discussed on this site yet which have devastating effects on the
lives of men, women and children.
We also acknowledge the impact that war, colonialization, systemic racism,
heterosexism, institutional abuse and classism have had and continue to
have on the lives of many individuals, families and communities.
We support the work of any persons or organizations that are working towards
ending violence in any of its forms so that we all may live a life free
from violence and fear.
We offer, below, a sampling of links related to those issues, but acknowledge
that it is far from comprehensive of either the possible links or the issues
themselves. We encourage you to conduct a web search to find further resources
on the specific issues that concern or directly affect you.
Resources
Male Survivor: Overcoming Sexual Vicimization
of Boys and Men
" One of our most important missions is preventing the sexual abuse
of males by working to prevent all forms of sexual victimization."
Provides information for survivors, families and professionals.
www.malesurvivor.org
Helping Spirit Lodge
"The Society has a broad mandate to implement strategies for intervention
and prevention of domestic violence. Our first project was SPIRIT LODGE,
a safe transition house for abused and battered women and children which
opened in 1991. We now offer a wide range of programs to the Aboriginal
Community with more on the horizon."
www.helpingspiritlodge.org
Amnesty International (AI)
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for
internationally recognized human rights.
www.amnesty.org
War Child
War Child International is a network of independent organisations, working
across the world to help children affected by war.
www.warchild.org
Violence in Lesbian Relationships
Abuse in lesbian relationships must also be recognized as a major health
concern in our communities. Victims of abuse may be affected sexually, physically,
emotionally, and psychologically. Brought to you by women's web - an on-line
community for women
www.womensweb.ca/violence/dv/lesbian.php
Intimate Partner Violence against Men
Publications and resources available from the National Clearinghouse on
Family Violence regarding abuse against men
www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/maleabus_e.html
The National Clearinghouse on Family Violence
"The NCFV is Canada's resource centre for information on violence within
relationships of kinship, intimacy, dependency or trust."
www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/index.html
Note on terminology:
"community capacity building" is a movement that looks at giving
members of any given community the tools and resources to create change
at the micro-level according to how that community feels it is best, rather
than changes being imposed from the top down.
