Preventing Domestic Violence in Waterloo Region
We cannot fulfill our mission without focusing on prevention and education.
* Each of Women’s Crisis Services prevention programs highlight a different type of prevention, but also fall into multiple categories.
Safe Neighbours: Public Education
This community group gives participants the opportunity to gain tools and knowledge to help someone you care about if you suspect they are experiencing domestic violence. Led by an experienced social worker, in Safe Neighbours you’ll learn about red flags and warning signs of domestic violence, how to be an active listener and what resources are available to people experiencing domestic violence.
Safe Neighbours is available by request to individuals and organizations in Waterloo Region.
She Is Your Neighbour
She Is Your Neighbour is a prevention project and storytelling series exploring the realities and complexities of domestic violence by sharing stories from people of all walks of life. Through our podcast and public education series, we highlight the intersectionality of domestic violence to increase awareness, build understanding, and shift public perception. The shame and stigma surrounding domestic violence can make it difficult to talk about, but this won’t change unless we have difficult conversations.
Youth Education Program
This program is designed to teach young people about healthy friendships, self-esteem and empathy to help eliminate violence in our community. Understanding healthy qualities in ourselves and in friendships will translate to healthy relationships in the future.
Taught by an Outreach Worker, youth will learn these skills through interactive workshops that use a mix of games, videos and open conversation.
Engaging Men Program
Through individual counselling for men and community education, we are prioritizing safer communities by increasing how we foster male accountability. This unique program has three male clinicians that are working directly with men who use violence against their partners and families to help to create healthier relationships. Unlike other male accountability programs, Engaging Men is not mandated, the program is free and every client enters the program voluntarily.
Ask for Angela
The program revolves around discreetly approaching staff members at participating Loblaw and Shoppers Drug Mart stores and requesting “Angela” for support. This will signal to staff that the individual needs support. Staff members will guide the person to a secure and private location, allowing for open dialogue and a connection to the Women’s Crisis Services support lines.
Early Intervention Program
In collaboration with Waterloo Regional Police Services, the Early Intervention program works to stop violence from reocurring in relationships. This program works directly with couples that have had two domestic violence service calls in two months to connect them with support services, educate about the consequences of using violence and to help with safety planning.