Too often, men find themselves unable to access much needed support services in the area of anger management and family violence.
RCMP Victim Services coordinator Cindy Osip recognized this need in the community and secured a $20,000 grant from the Family Violence.
Initiative Fund of National Crime Prevention Services.
“This funding will support the delivery of life-changing, educational programs aimed at reducing physical and emotional abuse in families,” Osip said.
“In 2009 Quesnel experienced a dramatic increase in incidents of family violence. While there were a number of support services available for women, it soon became obvious that men who actively sought out resources were unable to find the help they needed outside the court system.”
Men at Work includes, but is not limited to, such topics as anger versus violence; alcohol, drugs and violence; effects of abuse on the family unit; being a better father; strategies to avoid violence; warning signs; depression; power and control; healthy boundaries, coping strategies; communication; and family healing.
Osip also said they’re offering a second set of program sessions for women, primarily for partners of men enrolled in the Men at Work program, but is certainly open to any women.
Both programs are free to the public.
Two recently retired probation officers, Donna Kozic and Nuala Grant, will facilitate the groups. With university degrees in social work and psychology respectively and specialized training through the Justice Institute of B.C., the pair have a combined total of 18 years experience in conducting domestic violence prevention programs for the Corrections Branch, primarily in Quesnel but also in Prince George, Fort Nelson and Tsay Keh.
In the past, their programs were offered only to those who were ordered by the Court to attend.
In response to demand from individuals and community agencies, Men at Work programs are open to all at no cost.
The men’s programs run the last two weeks of each month, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 10 times during the year at the Quesnel Community Access Policing Centre. The first session begins Feb. 20 – March 1.
The women’s programs run the last week of the month, 10 a.m. – noon at the North Cariboo Aboriginal Family Society (Long Name Society) also 10 times beginning Feb. 27 – March 2.
Child care is available.
For information regarding this program, contact Cindy Osip at RCMP Victim Services, 250-992-3380.