Violence Against Women (VAW)

habitatWith the support of the Ontario government, our agency receives annual funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) to oversee the budget and operations of the Habitat Interlude Family Resource Centre and the Moosonee Family Resource Centre.

Objectives – The objectives of the Habitat Interlude FRC and the Moosonee FRC are as follows:

  • Offer emergency shelter and community counselling programs to women and their dependants who are victims or who are at risk of being victims of violence and/or abuse or who are affected by violence and abuse;
  • Offer a crisis support line, including assistance with safety planning, information on victims’ rights, options and services offered, referrals and help navigating the system;
  • Offer safety planning support for women and their dependants who are victims of violence and/or abuse, who are or have been affected by violence and/or abuse.

Description

This program offers services to any person who self-identifies as a woman 16 years of age or over, with or without dependants, who is a victim or who is at risk of being a victim of violence and/or abuse. Women and their dependants can access emergency shelter services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, pending bed availability. Dependants include children and family members who are cared for by a woman seeking shelter, including male children aged 18 years or less.

Services offered

  • Confidential, safe shelter, free of charge
  • Crisis support line
  • Supportive counselling
  • Residential support including food, personal items, bedding
  • Information about rights, options and services offered through a community approach
  • Emergency transportation
  • Developing strategies and safety plans for women and their dependants
  • Follow-up after leaving the shelter
  • Advocating the rights of women and their dependants

Eligibility Criteria

Women 16 years of age or over, with or without dependants, including children and family members under their care.

Referral Procedures

It is not necessary to live at Habitat Interlude to receive services. Any woman can present herself at any time, day or night, to obtain information or support.

Referrals to this service can be made by:

  • The client;
  • Family members and friends;
  • The Ontario Provincial Police;
  • Hospitals;
  • Community agencies.

For more information about the services offered by this program, please visit the “Contact Us” tab at the top of the page and call the Habitat Interlude or the Moosonee FRC.

Description

The purpose of this program is to assist women who have chosen to leave a violent relationship and rebuild their life alone or with their children. The community counsellor supports and accompanies the client in all the steps she needs to take in order to establish an adequate standard of living and free of violence.

Services offered

  • Short-term supportive counselling
  • Telephone support
  • Visits at home or elsewhere
  • Information about legal and financial assistance, job searching and housing, etc.
  • Accompanying the client to the hospital, to see a lawyer and to appear in court
  • Developing strategies and safety plans for women and their dependants
  • Referral to different community services according to the client’s needs
  • Education, awareness-raising and prevention of violence against women

Eligibility Criteria

  • Women 16 years of age or over

Referral Procedures

Referrals to this service can be made by:

  • The client;
  • Family members and friends;
  • The Ontario Provincial Police;
  • Hospitals;
  • Community agencies.

For more information about the services offered by this program, please visit the “Contact Us” tab at the top of the page and call the Habitat Interlude or the Moosonee FRC.

Description

The purpose of this program is to minimize the effects of family violence on children. It offers a place where children can meet to talk and realize that they are not alone and that they are not responsible for the violence they witnessed.

Services offered

  • Learn how to protect yourself in situations of family violence; establish a safety plan
  • Education about violence against women
  • Sharing information and resources for mothers
  • Assistance with transportation and child care

Eligibility Criteria

  • Children between the ages of 4 and 16 years who witnessed family violence in the home. The child must have some stability in his life to ensure his basic needs are met.

Referral Procedures

Referrals can come from the child’s parent or legal guardian or the following professional organizations:

  • The Ontario Provincial Police;
  • Hospitals;
  • The Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP);
  • Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS);
  • Community agencies.

For more information about the services offered by this program, please visit the “Contact Us” tab at the top of the page and call the Habitat Interlude or the Moosonee FRC.

Description

This program is voluntary and non-residential. It is designed to offer counselling to women who are currently in or have left an abusive relationship.

Services offered

  • Individual counselling to treat issues specific to violence as well as lifestyle, emotions and relationships
    Group counselling (ex. Pattern Changing, etc.)
  • Education, awareness-raising and prevention of violence against women
  • Developing strategies and safety plans for women and their dependants
  • Referral to different community services according to the client’s needs

Eligibility Criteria

  • Women 16 years of age or over who have been victims of violence.

Referral Procedures

Referrals to this program can be made by:

  • The client;
  • Family members and friends;
  • The Ontario Provincial Police;
  • Hospitals;
  • Community agencies.

For more information about the services offered by this program, please visit the “Contact Us” tab at the top of the page and call the Habitat Interlude or the Moosonee FRC.