Ending the Cycle of Violence
At Family Counselling Centre we believe that everyone has a right to live without the fear of being hurt—emotionally, physically, sexually. We understand the impact of abuse and violence in your life and are here to help you deal with it. We are ready to help you and your family begin to do things differently. Out job is not to blame but to help provide the tools you need to live a life that embraces respect, fairness, trust, partnership and honesty.
Commitment to Change (CTC)
The Commitment to Change (CTC) program offers individual assessments and groups for men/women who have abused their partner.
The program is designed to help individuals stop the abuse and accept responsibility for their actions by focusing on:
- Developing alternative methods of dealing with anger, frustration and stress;
- Learning effective ways of expressing feelings; and
- Developing a broader view of male/female roles
This program is primarily offered on a fee-for-service basis, with some funding support from the Ministry of the Attorney General.
Partners of the Commitment to Change program participants also receive concurrent services such as: follow-up telephone contact; individual counselling; group counselling.
Sexual Assault Outreach Program (SAO)
The Sexual Assault Outreach Program (SAO) provides counselling services to women 50 years of age and older in Lambton County who have experienced sexual abuse at some time in their life.
A trained, professional counsellor provides safe, confidential counselling in the privacy of a woman’s home or in an office setting in Sarnia or Forest.
There is no charge for this service. Funding is provided through the Community Mental Health Programs Branch of the Ministry of Health.
Violence Against Women (VAW)
The Violence Against Women (VAW) program provides counselling services to women who have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse in an intimate relationship. The abuse may originate with a past or present partner or in their family of origin. Counselling, with a trained professional, may be provided through an individual, family or group format.
There is no fee for this service, funding is provided by the Ministry of Community & Social Services.
Neighbours, Friends and Families
Neighbours, Friends and Families is a campaign to reach the neighbours, friends and family members of women and their children who are experiencing abuse.
Those closest to abused women don’t always:
- Understand what they are seeing;
- Know how to help; or
- Know where to turn for help in the community.
As various inquests and the reports of the Domestic Violence Death Review Coroner’s Committee have made clear, this needs to change. Woman abuse can be prevented. Repeated violence and potentially lethal violence can often be predicted and lives could be saved with appropriate and timely interventions. Learn how!
Bridge The Gap (BTG)
The Bridge the Gap (BTG) program provides counselling services to male and female victims of sexual assault up to age 18 and to their families.
The program provides immediate access to skilled professionals using crisis intervention strategies designed to:
- Reduce the long-term impact of the abuse on the child; and,
- Assist the parent(s) in establishing responses to their child’s needs
There is no fee. The program is funded by the Bluewater Health Sexual Assault/Domestic Assault Treatment Centre.
