The Rural Voice, 1982-03, Page 17used for field experiments is used to
produce special feed for the livestock
research projects.
Elora Research Station has excellent
soil for experimental use. The research
plots have been drained and levelled and
an irrigation system installed. Field crop
research is devoted to plant breeding,
crop management, control of weeds and
insects and control of plant disease, crop
harvesting. storage research and pasture
land management.
Soil research at this station covers soil
management. temperature changes and
effects and drainage and manure utilza-
tion.
Cambridge Research Station aims at
horticulture research. Guelph, at the
Guelph Correctional Centre has an apple
orchard and helps supply feed for research
animals.
Woodstock Research Station is one of
the newest stations and has been allocated
for breeding soybeans and white beans
and for testing corn, soybeans, white
beans and winter wheat.
Further information and arrangements
for visiting groups may be obtained by
contacting Prof. W.S Young, Co-ordinator
of Agricultural Extension, Ontario
Agricultural College, University of
Guelph, Guelph, Ontario. (519-824-4120,
Extension 3933).
The Grey -Bruce Crisis Centre
Help is there for women who need it
by Gisele Ireland
Physical violence, depression and alcoholic problems are
subjects not bandied about lightly in social conversation. In many
quarters there's the belief that no such problems exist close to
home. Not so, according to a government funded study over a year
ago. Three university students interviewed women in the
Grey -Bruce area. Six hundred women felt that help for women in
rural areas was desperately needed.
This is not a dramatic discovery; little has been done in the rural
area for women in distress. Diane Harkin of Winchester concludes
that severe financial stress has served as a catalyst to bring forth
latent hostility and possibly increase the instance of physical
abuse of family members. Verbal abuse over a long period of time
destroys the woman emotionally and physical abuse is an
unvarnished fact. Diane, who is on the Canadian Council of
Women says there are no statistics presently concerning rural
women since all studies have been done in cities. The crisis
situation faced by rural people over the past two years have
brought tendencies to abuse. alcohol abuse and depression to a
crescendo. Diane feels women are reluctant to seek outside help in
a distress situation for several reasons all relating to the lack of
privacy in rural communities. If you are related to half the families
in the township, and are surrounded by life-long friends and
neighbours, to whom do you turn if you want to keep your private
family concerns away from public speculation?
Telephones are not all private lines. and you take the chance of
several avid ears in on your discussion. There is a lack of money
and no place to go if you do decide to pick up the kids and leave.
There is also a great fear on the women's part, of disrupting the
basic family unit, so they do their screaming silently.
Fern Martin, of Lanark County, has been involved in Interval
House for two and a half years. This four bedroom house has seen
a steady occupancy of anywhere from 10-25 women and children
at any one time. F:rn fees probl3ms are severe enough to warrant
further facilities, and is at present seeking funding for a study in
Lanark to determine what the needs are. Fern says Interval House
offers valuable assistance to rape victims, physically abused
women and children and aid for alcohol and depression problems.
Both Fern and Diane urge against tranquilizers being used as an
aid against depression or escape for physical abuse, because
drugs cloud your natural sense of perception and reflexes at a time
when you will likely need both these the most. Diane Harkin and
Fern Martin have helped with cases where a physically abused
woman has experienced reluctance on the part of lawyers and law
enforcement to come to their aid. At Interval House, these cases
are dealt with and referred to the appropriate agencies.
Phyllis Burke, who heads the newly opened Women's Centre in
Owen Sound, has had no problem with a lack of woolen using the
facilities. A distress phone line, which has been operating since
early January, has brought forth many problems. The need is so
great that there is already a waiting list to use the Women's
Centre. The address of the centre is not published for security
reasons but the distress number is 367-1600. Once you call this
number you are put in touch with Women's Centre personnel. The
Centre offers emergency housing, and allows the woman a
breathing space to regroup her energies to decide what course to
take. The centre then refers women to Legal Aid, counselling
services and housing services within the area. Most women are
reluctant to force an already distressed family to unfamiliar
surrounding and taking children out of school. The existing
centres are located in Barrie and Guelph.
A call to 376-1600 will put you in touch with personnel who will
listen to your problem and help you decide what needs to be done.
All cases of distress are of concern.
Phyllis Burke feels that eventually enough funding will be
available to help and rehabilitate those who abuse women. At
present, they are only treating one half the problem - the victim.
If you are interested in more facts on physical abuse. Constance
Backhouse, of the University of Western Ontario, has published a
booklet entitled; The Battered Woman's Legal Handbook. and
which is available from the university in London.
The distress line for the Grey -Bruce area is operating and the
number again is 376-1600. If you need it, use it.
In Huron, emergency crisis intervention is available from the
Mental Health Resources Centre in Clinton. phone 482-3961.
Rural Voice was unable to find a similar agency in Perth.
THE RURAL VOICE/MARCH 1982 PG. 15