The Rural Voice, 1993-11, Page 32units in Goderich, Clinton, and
Exeter. The Owen Sound second -
stage housing has 10 units. During a
stay there, participants make a
commitment to focus on personal
goals, and work toward self-
sufficiency, independence, and a life
free of violence. There arc programs
in place both for the women and the
children living there.
Phoenix House averages 78 per
ccnt occupancy over the year. "This
fluctuates," explains Timmins.
"depending on the time of the year.
From now until Christmas is not too
busy, because women try very hard
to make a go of it at home now. We
arc very busy in January and
February, and arc busy again over the
summer. In September it slows
down, as the kids go back to school.
We're in our third year here now, and
this seems to be the trend."
Besides shelters and safe housing,
there arc several support groups and
counselling services available. The
Women's Centre (Grey & Bruce)
Inc., provides counselling services in
Mcaford and Wiarton, in addition to
Owen Sound. The Woman's House
of Bruce County, in Kincardine, also
provides individual and group coun-
selling and public education services
in Walkerton and Hanover. All of
these services have toll-free numbers
and 24-hour telephone service.
SWAN recently ran ads in eight
newspapers to find volunteers for a
24-hour sexual assault team. They
were pleasantly surprised to have 58
people respond. Of those, 42 came
out for training, which is taking place
in Clinton. Timmins' vision of this
new program is that women could
call the shelter's 1-800 number and
the shelter would have a list of local
volunteers to call (pre-screened
according to how available they were
as to time and distance), and the
volunteer would then go out and give
whatever support was needed.
Despite all this, there were still
groups of people not being served.
"The northern part of the county is
hard to contact," says Timmins. "So
in March 1993 two storefronts
opened up, one in Seaforth, one in
Wingham. They are drop-in centres
for information on what is available
in each locality. In Seaforth, there is
a children's play area, used clothing,
a Local baker donates bread, and there
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Hanover Chapman, Graham & Lawrence Insurance 519-364-2790
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Meatord Georgian Bay Insurance Brokers Ltd 519-538-2102
Owen Sound L.A. Chester Insurance Ltd. 519-371-0232
Shelburne • Crewson Insurance Brokers Ltd. 519-925-3145
Southampton Stan Hills Insurance Broker Ltd. 519-797-3431
Thornbury Howard Noble Insurance Ltd. 519-599-3812
Walkerton Chapman, Graham & Lawrence Insurance 519-881-0611
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1895 — 100 years — 1995
28 THE RURAL VOICE
is a quilt that women can work on
when they stop by. We also use
these locations to give an evening
lecture series on different topics of
interest to women, with speakers
provided from the community. Both
storefronts are on the main street of
each town. Wingham is open
Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-3,
and Seaforth is open Tuesdays and
Thursdays, the same hours."
There are also men's treatment
groups. Timmins says, "These
groups really do help. They are not
touchy-feely groups at all, which
some men are afraid of. They give
men the realization that they are
responsible for what they say and do,
and that they can change the way
they act. They put the responsibility
where it belongs – on the men. They
teach them that there is no excuse for
abuse. They hold them accountable,
but provide support as well.
"Police often give out information
on these resources when they are
called to a domestic situation. If a
man accepts the help offered and
goes, the judge is sometimes more
lenient. Often the court orders men
to attend a group and get help for
themselves."
The Toronto Star quoted a 35 -
year -old man named Dave, who had
attended a court -mandated counsel-
ling program. Dave said, "We had a
very abusive relationship. Not physi-
cally abusive but mentally abusive,
emotionally abusive, withdrawal of
affection, emotional blackmail. I'd
find myself screaming at her at times.
"I realize that's abusive now that
I've been through the program.
Before I would have said it takes two
to tango, but the fact is that I'm
bigger and stronger than she is and
because of that I can win.
"I didn't know how to express my
feelings. I kept everything bottled up
inside or I'd get really angry. I'd get
angry when, instead, I was hurt or
upset."
As a result of the SWAN survey, a
group has been established to review
the handling of every domestic
assault case that enters the criminal
justice system. Called DART
(Domestic Assault Review Team),
their goal is to develop and monitor
an appropriate community response
to this issue.
Other recommendations that are
being followed up as a result of the