Rankin Inlet (Apr 02/03) - Since last September the spousal abuse counselling program in Rankin Inlet has been helping members of the community get back on track.

The program consists of the abusers' program and the victims' and family program. It is funded by Nunavut's Justice Department, the federal Department of Justice and the Solicitor General's office.

It is the only program of its kind in Nunavut.

David Mablick and his wife Iona facilitate the program.

"I'm the coordinating counsellor and she is the associate counsellor. We are trying to reduce spousal abuse and it's a challenge but with the right people I think it really can be done," said Mablick.

The victims program

The victims program is completely voluntary. Anyone in need of counselling is asked to partake in an interview which will determine whether or not they will benefit from the program.

The victim will meet with a counsellor for at least a month on a one-on-one basis before joining into group discussions held twice a week. The first group, made up of four people, started in October and it went on for five months. It will be ending at the end of March.

"We cover a wide range of topics. We try to find out how they define abuse and how they understand it. We talk about physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, any kind of abuse. We go through the cycle of violence and we talk about it," said Mablick.

He said the counselling gives victims tools to deal with issues like abuse. Mablick went as far as to say that none of the victims in counselling have experienced abuse since starting the program.

The program for abusers

The program for abusers is done by self-referral or on a referral from the court.

Clients must be at the beginning of the abuse cycle. Mablick said a client must not have been in jail for more than one year, and the abuse must have been very minimal.

"The courts can send them to us, but it's still the counsellor's decision whether the person is accepted or not. We must find that they feel guilty," said Mablick.

The program for abusers works in much the same way as it does for the victims.

One-on-one meetings between the abuser and a counsellor go on for about a month. Mablick said he always tries to find out what the abuser is feeling - is he angry, sad or scared? Abusers are also involved in group counselling if it is suitable.

When they are finished the program, Mablick said the abuser is more self-aware of his problem.

The results

So far, Mablick said everything is going as planned. He attributes the programs success to going by the books and sticking to the mandate.

He also said that the community's positive reception of the program has kept things going.

The spousal abuse counselling program has helped 25 people to date.

The next group sessions for abusers and for victims will begin in the second week of April.