WOMEN

AND
THEIR
CHILDRE
N
By: Emily Raymond
and Brianna Baker
SOCL 1430-60

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction

Diversity Topic

Local Agency Selected

Facts & Figures

How does this agency benefit the community

How does this agencies programs benefit you

How is this agency's programs link into other community

agencies services

Thought Provoking Question

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION:

The topic we have chosen to do is; Violence

against women and their children. The local
agency we have decided to coincide with our
topic is Gillian's Place. We believe that this
agency is an important aspect to our topic
because; their vision is to have women and
children free from violence. (Gillians
Place(2016), Mission, Vision, Value and
History). Gillians place specializes in treating
women and children that have suffered from
physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
(Raymond&Baker, 2016)

What is Violence Against

Women?

The United Nations defines violence

against women as "any act of genderbased violence that results in, or is
likely to result in, physical, sexual or
mental harm or suffering to women,
including threats of such acts,
coercion or arbitrary deprivation of
liberty, whether occurring in public or
in private life."
-Word Health(2016),Violence Against Women

DIVERSITY TOPIC: VIOLENCE AGAINST

WOMEN
THEIR
CHILDREN
Violence AND
against women is rooted in unequal
power relationships between men and women in
society. In a broader context, structural
relationships of inequalities in politics, religion,
media and discriminatory cultural norms
perpetuate violence against girls and women.
(Battered Women Support Services(2016), The
Facts on Violence Against Women)

Even though parents protect their children to

witness family violence at home, children are
witness of many of the incidents. Witnessing
family violence is as harmful as experiencing it
directly. (Battered Women Support
Services(2016), The Facts on Violence Against

LOCAL AGENCY:
GILLIANS PLACE

(Gillians Place(2016)Home)

Through service, education and advocacy, Gillian's Place offers

hope, safety, support and empowerment through a range of
services and effective partnerships to end violence against
women (Gillians Place(2016) Missions, Visions, Values and
History)

HISTORY

On August 6, 1977, number of volunteers opened

Niagara's first safe haven for abused women and
children and began to provide emergency shelter, food
and counselling.

It soon became apparent the facilities were insufficient

to meet demand, and so, in 1983, Women's Place built a
new shelter in downtown St. Catharines.

Eventually during the early years of 2000, the shelter

space again was not sufficient for the demand they
were experiencing; so they needed to expand.

A new beginning began On November 16, 2007,

Women's Place St. Catharines and North Niagara
celebrated the official grand opening at the new
location on Gibson Place.
(Gillians Place(2016) Missions, Visions, Values and

CONTINUED

The name of the agency Gillians Place was taken after

the executive Director Gillian Dooley.

She led the organization from 1980 to 2007 and was

instrumental in fighting the cycle of violence against
women, the effect of her work not only in the community
but was known nationally.

Gillian's Place has 18 bedrooms for 34 people; as well

they are fully accessible with an elevator. A number of
common rooms are included such as a quiet room, teen
room, TV room and were able to refurbish the original
gymnasium.

All of this new and improved space allows women more

privacy to help in the process of healing.
(Gillians Place(2016) Missions, Visions, Values and History)

WHAT GILLIANS PLACE HAS FOR

CHILDREN:
Gillians Place is pleased to have a larger outdoor
playground with equipment and an indoor gymnasium
for the children who come to Gillian's Place with their
Moms.

With the help of our Child and Youth Counsellor these

children can begin their healing and just be kids.

Gillian's Place is an accomplishment of collaborative

relationships, understanding and meeting the essential
support services to empower abused women and
children of Niagara.
(Gillian's Place(2016), Missions, Visions, Values and
History)

EXAMPLES OF CHILDREN AREAS:

(Gillians Place(2016),Our Services)

(Gillians Place(2016),Our Services)

(Gillians Place(2016),Our Services)

PROGRAMS OFFERED:

Gillians Place offers many programs that can help one

overcome abuse. All services that are provided are
confidential and free of charge.

Residential Program: If you are in danger, there emergency

shelter can be your safe place.

Counselling Program: They provide group or individual

counselling that will help take your power back, allowing you
to make healthy choices and live your life with growing
confidence and self-esteem.

Transitional Housing and Support Program: Help with finding

or training for a job, Help with finding a new place to live,
help with applying for financial assistance.
(Gillians Place(2016),Our Services)

CONTIUNED:

Legal Advocacy Program: They have a family law

lawyer on staff who is there to help in dealing with
police, lawyers, Family Court and/or the criminal
justice system.

Support for children and teens: If there is children in

your household, they too are impacted by the abuse.
They can provide support.

Immigrant and refugee support: If you are new to

Canada or Canada is not your first home, They are
sensitive to the extra struggles you may face.
(Gillians Place(2016),Our Services)

HOW THE PROGRAMS RELATE TO

OUR TOPIC:

The programs provided at Gillians Place

relate to our diversity topic because; they
help women and children regain selfesteem, achieve a healthy life style and
get out of an environment where they are
suffering. (Raymond&Baker,2016)

FACTS AND FIGURES:

More than 17,000 women and their children have found safe
emergency shelter and essential support services since
1977. (Gillians Place(2016) About us).

Gillian's Place costs $2 million a year to run and to

maintain current levels of service, it has to raise at least
$500,000 of that. (Erica Bajer (2015)Lets fight violence
against women together).

Gillian's place is able to keep their organization funded

through all of the close relationships they have gained. They
continue to build the strength of their organization in
collaborating with existing long standing relationships;
corporations, foundations, small businesses, associations,
community organizations, individuals and recognize all
levels of government. (Gillians Place(2016) Our Partners)

HOW GILLIANS PLACE ASSISTS THE

COMMUNITY:
Thecommunitybenefits fromGillian'splace because;
they have a safe place to go when they are suffering
from domestic violence. The agency will provide all
residents witheffectiverehabilitation to help treat you
from the trauma you suffered with. (unknownauthor,
Gillian's place(2016), real life stories )

Gillian's place also benefits the community by having

events to help raise money and
spreadingawarenesson "violenceagainst women and
children".(Gillian's place,(2016), Events)

EXAMPLE OF COMMUNITY EVENT:

WALK FOR WOMEN

(The Brock Press(2016) A Walk for Women Return)

The Walk for Women is an opportunity to join together to end

violence against women and girls. Join us for a 5 km or 2 km
walk option along the scenic Welland Canal Parkway. (Gillians
Place(2016) Events.

HOW GILLIANS PLACE ASSISTS

INDIVIDUALS:
Many people who have been to Gillian's place have received
emotion stability, gained their power back and leaned how to
adapt into a healthy relationship. With this support Gillian's
place also offers food and furniture, counselling sessions and
to help you get back on your feet. A
fellowresidentofGillian'splace recently posted about her
time at the shelter . (Baker&Raymond, 2016)

"till this very day woman's place, and its team still help me.
I've received gifts for my son's birthday, and Christmas when
finances weren't good. I received counselling after I left to help
me move on when out on my own, and to strengthen my self
esteem, because that was taken from me. They've even called
me to see how I'm doing. I've really grown from this
experience. I am raising my two young children, going to
university full time, and seeing a bright hope for the future
ahead."(Janine (2016) Gillian's place, real life stories).

SIMILAR AGENCY SERVICES:

There are many places throughout the Niagara region;

Nova house is one of many, it offers 24 hours 7 days a
week crisis line,Short and long term counselling, and
follow up programs and ongoing support. (Nova House,
(2016) Our Services).

(Unifor, CAW Local(2016), Community involvement)

QUESTION:

Do

you believe that the

programs Gillians place
offers are effective in
being able to get the
women and children a
stable mind set and
environment?

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, anyone can suffer from domestic

violence, Gillian's place is there for you when you need
help.

"67% of allCanadianssay they personally know at

least onewomanwho has been physically or
sexuallyassaulted." ( Angus Reid Omnibus
survey(2012).Canadianwomen'sfoundation.)

You can also call thecrisisline:905- 685- 8331.

As herd before,Gillian'splace if fullyinvolvedwith the

community and helps try decreasing the stigma that
goes along with living in a shelter

REFERENCES:

Author, Unknown. "The Facts on Violence Against

Women | BWSS." Battered Women Support Services.
Web. 9 May 2016.

Author, Unknown. "Our Services." Our Services. Web. 9

May 2016.

Author, Unknown. "Our Services." Home. Web. 10 May

2016.

Author, Unknown. "Mission, Vision, Values & History."

Home. Web. 10 May 2016.

Author, Unknown. "Violence against Women." World

Health Organization. Jan. 2016. Web. 7 May 2016.

Paranthahan, Manchari. "The "Walk for Women" Returns

-." The Brock Press. 06 May 2014. Web. 8 May 2016.