Outreach Services
The Queen Charlotte Islands Women Society provides outreach services to women and female youth who are living independently. Women who have experienced violence or are at-risk will receive services. Women may have left a violent relationship, be currently involved in one, and either staying or considering leaving. All are welcome.
Outreach also wishes to develop community networking initiatives aimed at increasing the safety of women and children, as well as deliver culturally appropriate public education opportunities to raise awareness of the effects of violence against women; of violence prevention and of services available to women who have experienced violence, abuse, or threats.
Services Provided
The goal of the outreach services program is to provide:
Supportt - this can involve supportive counseling, home-visits, office visits and supportive listening.
Informationt - this may involve helping women to make sense of and understand their experiences around violence and trauma.
Transportationt - may be provided to assist women in getting to a transition or safe house.
Accompaniment to Appointmentst - this may include medical, dental, social services and others where the woman feels that she would benefit from having a supportive person present.
Referralst - to other agencies and service providers.
Advocacyt - as needed, this may include dealing with income support, living arrangements (ie property managers), social services, and the medical profession.
Public Educationt - providing public education around the topic of women, violence and trauma. This will take varying forms, for example, supportive counselling, groups for women, written articles and community events. Additionally, outreach will participate in other community events that are facilitated by other agencies.
Community Coordinationt - This includes working towards improving the overall community response to women in violent or abusive relationships.
