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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-10-21, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21,1992. Centre responds to issue of violence How does Huron County respond to the problem of woman assault and the resultant effects upon children? Despite a desire to ignore or avoid the issue, it is clear this is no longer possible. In fact, various community members, in conjunc­ tion with the Huron County Board of Education and S.W.A.N. (Stop Woman Abuse Now: Co-ordinating Committee Against Woman Abuse) are committed to raising awareness about woman abuse in Huron County. ‘ The Huron-Perth Centres for Children and Youth are part of this team of people who are responding to the problem of violence in the family. In addition to individual, marital and family counselling, this recently accredited Children's Mental Health Centre also provides a specialized clinical response to woman abuse. Group Delta, a group therapy program for men who have been physically violent and emotionally controlling with their partners is offered in conjunction with Renascence, a support group for women who have been victims of abuse and whose partners are involved with Group Delta. This program was developed in 1984, by Dr. Doug Reberg and Laurie Thompson of the Perth Centre, in response to the increasing incidence of woman abuse being reported in counselling sessions at the Huron-Perth Centres. Group Delta uses social, behavioural and cognitive interventions within its psycho-educational format to reach its objective of stopping men's violence against women. The group meets weekly and is co-facilitated by Eugene Dufour of Stratford Hospital and Meryl Thomas of Huron Addiction Assessment and Referral Centre. Renascence was developed in 1989, as a support group for women whose partners were involved in Delta. It was formed in response to a request by Group Delta members and their partners, because it was felt that a partners' group would provide women an opportunity to discuss their partners' progress and develop appropriate safety plans. Renascence is co-facilitated by Meryl Thomas, Janie Gattinger of Huron Employee Assistance Program and Cathy Graham of the Huron Centre. An evaluation of the effective­ ness of Group Delta was conducted in 1989. Results indicated that 55 per cent of Group Delta clients refrain from further physical violence against their partners for a time period of up to two years. Another 25 per cent report less severe physical violence against their partners. Ongoing evaluation of the group is an important part of its effectiveness. Another important development in the Huron-Perth Centre's response to violence in society, both physical and sexual, is the Enjoy a delicious ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT HOT BUFFET Every Sunday includes salad bar, a variety of meats, vegetables, potatoes, rolls, rice pudding, tea or coffee for only $9.95 Tim's Family Restaurant and Banquet Facilities Blyth 523-9623 (formerly Grand View Too) recent formation of a group therapy program for adolescent male sexual assault perpetrators. This treatment group is scheduled to begin in October 1992. Weekly group sessions will be held for a period of nine months. The focus of the group is to stop sexually offending behavior and it will use social, educational and behavioural approaches to reach this goal. The group will be co-facilitated by Dana Bozzato of the Huron Centre and Chris Rowntree of the Children’s Psychiatric Research Institute, London. The Huron-Perth Centres for Children and Youth feel fortunate to be part of Huron County's co­ ordinated response to woman abuse. Such co-ordination and integration of services has been facilitated by S.W.A.N., an active co-ordinating committee whose objective is to work toward the reduction, prevention and eventual elimination of all forms of woman abuse. Group Delta, Renascence and the Sexual Assault Treatment Program are key components of this community's response to various forms of violence against women and children. If you would like more information about these programs, or would like to be a participant, please call 482-3931. Since children spend a tremendous portion of their waking hours with teachers in a co­ operative educational setting, educators become privy to personal information that the children feel confident in sharing. Educators, therefore, play a vital role in identifying child abuse. Since educators also endeavour to teach social skills that encourage non­ violent behaviour, the following “facts” will be emphasized when the Huron County Board of Education's teachers meet during the Professional Development Day on Friday, October 23, 1992. FACTS ABOUT FAMILY VIOLENCE For some children school is the ONLY safe place. Children who witness violence against their mothers suffer the same problems as children who were themselves abused. Children raised in violent homes often grow up to become victims or abusers themselves. 150,000 to 250,000 school-aged children in Ontario are exposed to family violence in their homes. Violence in the family is the Women attend Toronto rally The cool, damp weather on Tuesday, Sept. 29 didn't damage the spirits of approximately 90 ladies (and three gentlemen) from the Maitland Presbyterial as they set out on their bus trip to Toronto for the fall rally. While on the bus, Wilma Clarke introduced one of the studies available for next year entitled Churches on Solidarity with Women. The other study is on the Middle East and was presented by Margaret Underwood. Since one of the studies this year has been Japan, the ultimate destination of the trip was the Japanese Cultural Centre, where everyone enjoyed a Japanese meal, and some of the more adventurous leading cause of homicides. A man who abuses his partner may also abuse his children. Children may be accidentally hurt when trying to protect another family member from violence. attempted to eat with the chopsticks provided. There was coffee for those not impressed with the popcorn tea. Following the meal there were demonstrations of the Japanese tea ceremony. Flower arranging, origami which is the art of paper folding, a description of the kimono and 12 foot obi sash and zori sandals. The last presentation was Japanese dancing, very graceful and beautiful in their kimonos. Mildred Dickson thanked the Japanese Cultural Centre for their hospitality. Just down the road was the Presbyterian Church offices where everyone had an opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes.