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Help is available for family violence
Men need to be part of solution in ending family violence
Samantha Stokell Northern News Services Published Thursday, October 6, 2011
This year's theme for Family Violence Awareness Week is 'Calling All Men to Stand With Us,' to bring men and women together on the same issue. The council hopes that by inviting men to stand with women in the fight against family violence, it will have a dramatic impact in communities. "Not all men are part of violence, but all men must stand up against it," said Anne Kasook, executive director of the Inuvik Transitional Home. "Violence is not a part of our culture and it has no place in our homes." Part of the awareness campaign for this week includes how men can help stop the cycle of abuse in their community. The council asks men to help prevent gender violence by not remaining silent if someone is abusive, question their own attitudes, and mentor and teach young boys so they won't degrade or abuse women. Women's shelter less full When Kasook started working at the women's shelter 11 years ago, it averaged about 50 to 70 women per year, who would stay anywhere from a few hours to six weeks. She says that number has dropped, but isn't sure what that means. "Maybe it means we're doing what we're supposed to and the women are saying 'No more. We don't have to take this'," Kasook said. "Or maybe they're going back underground. We do know the majority of our clients are really, really grateful." The number of women in the NWT and Nunavut who go to shelters is five times the national rate. In 2010-2011, 256 women (111 new) and 241 children (127 new) were in shelters in the NWT. The Inuvik Transitional Home provides shelter for women and children throughout the Mackenzie and Beaufort region. The Inuvik shelter has eight beds in four bedrooms, a kitchen and living space. Kasook tries to maintain the space as a home away from home for the women. The facility's first priority is to provide safety and shelter, but it also gives information on the cycle of violence and abuse as well as on services in the community such as health care, victim services and the RCMP. "In house, it's mainly information, advocating and support," Kasook said. "The women that come to the shelter are traumatized, the children are traumatized and they're uncertain." The women can stay for up to six weeks, but the majority stay for four weeks at most. Many return to their families, but Kasook ensures they have a safety plan in case the situation is not improved. "I can tell you where to go to get help, to go to the shelter and provide you with information, but it's up to you," Kasook said. "They have a right to go home. A lot of them go home with the children and have a deeper understanding that family violence is not just physical; it's verbal, financial, emotional." On Oct. 7, the Inuvik Transitional Home will hold a family fun night to end off Family Violence Awareness Week. There will be kids games, arts and crafts and crib for adults from 6 to 9 p.m. at Ingamo Hall. The board will also hold its annual general meeting at Ingamo Hall the same night.
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