WCC Contact
Telephone: (905) 820-8984
Fax: (905) 820-2050
Violence against women
Violence against women
Telephone: (905) 820-8984
Fax: (905) 820-2050
911 Police, Fire, Ambulance
Family Life Resource Centre – Residential shelter for women and children fleeing abuse. 24 hour crisis line (905) 451-4115
Interim Place – Residential shelter for women and children fleeing abuse. 24 hour crisis line (905) 403-0864 or (905) 676-8515
Peel Family Shelter – Short term residential shelter for homeless people – 24 hour crisis line (905) 272-7061
Mobile Crisis Line – 24 hour crisis line for people struggling with mental health issues – in some cases staff will see clients in their home (905) 278-9036
Distress Crisis Line Peel – 24 hour crisis line for people struggling with mental health issues (905)-278-7208
The Salvation Army Erin Mills Family Services – Emergency food bank for qualified people whose postal codes begin with L5C, L5H, L5J, L5K, L5L – open Monday, Wednesday and Friday – By appointment only (905) 607-2151
The Salvation Army Mississauga Temple Family Services – Emergency food bank for qualified people whose postal codes begin with L4V, L4Y, L4W, L4X, L4Z, L5A, L5B, L5G, L5P, L5R, L5S, L5T – open Monday to Friday – By appointment only (905) 279-2526
The Salvation Army Cornerstone Family Services – Emergency food bank for qualified people whose postal codes begin with L5C L5M, L5N, L5V, L5W – open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9-12 and 1-3 pm, Friday evenings 6-8 pm – By appointment only. (905) 824-0450 Ext 22
The Salvation Army Brampton Family Services – Emergency food bank for qualified people whose postal codes begin with L4T (Malton), L6P, L6R, L6S, L6T, L6V, L6W, L6X, L6Y, L6Z, L7A open Monday to Friday 9-12 and 1-4 pm – By appointment only. (905) 451-8840
Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 24 hour crisis line for women living in Ontario – (416) 863-0511 or 1 (866) 863-0511
The Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Centre Of Peel: 24 hour crisis line (905) 273-9442 or 1 (800) 810-0180
_____ Your partner is jealous or possessive toward you
_____ Your partner tries to control you by being very bossy or demanding
_____ Your partner tries to isolate you by demanding you cut off social contacts and friendships
_____ Your partner is violent and / or loses his or her temper quickly
_____ Your partner pressures you sexually, forces you to have sex against your will or demands sexual activities you are not comfortable with
_____ Your partner abuses drugs or alcohol
_____ Your partner claims you are responsible for his or her emotional state
_____ Your partner blames you when he or she mistreats you
_____ Your partner has a history of bad relationships
_____ Your family and friends have warned you about the person or told you that they are concerned for your safety or emotional well being
_____ You frequently worry about how your partner will react to things you say or do
_____ Your partner makes “jokes” that shame, humiliate, demean or embarrass you, weather privately or around family and friends
_____ Your partner grew up witnessing an abusive parental relationship, and/or was abused as a child
_____ Your partner “rages” when they feel hurt, shame, fear or loss of control
_____ You leave and then return to your partner repeatedly, against the advice of your friends, family and loved ones
_____ You have trouble ending the relationship, even though you know inside it’s the right thing to do
_____ Your partner constantly keep track of your time
_____Your partner accuses you of being unfaithful or flirting when you have not done so
_____Your partner constantly criticizes or belittles you
_____Your partner controls all finances and forces you to account for what you spend?
_____Your partner destroys or takes your personal property or sentimental items?
_____Your partner has affairs.
_____Your partner threatens to hurt you, your children or pets
_____Your partner threatens to use a weapon
_____Your partner pushes, hits, slaps, punches, kicks, or bites you or your children?
Incident
Any type of abuse occurs (physical/sexual/emotional)
Tension Building
Abuser starts to get angry
Abuse may begin
There is a breakdown of communication
Victim feels the need to keep the abuser calm
Tension becomes too much
Victim feels like they are ‘walking on egg shells’
Making-Up
Abuser may apologize for abuse
Abuser may promise it will never happen again
Abuser may blame the victim for causing the abuse
Abuser may deny abuse took place or say it was not as bad as the victim claims
Calm
Abuser acts like the abuse never happened
Physical abuse may not be taking place
Promises made during ‘making-up’ may be met
Victim may hope that the abuse is over
Abuser may give gifts to victim
The cycle can happen hundreds of times in an abusive relationship. Each stage lasts a different amount of time in a relationship. The total cycle can take anywhere from a few hours to a year or more to complete.
It is important to remember that not all domestic violence relationships fit the cycle. Often, as time goes on, the ‘making-up’ and ‘calm’ stages disappear.
Adapted from the original concept of: Walker, Lenore. The Battered Woman. New York: Harper and Row, 1979.
Source:http://www.coalitionagainstviolence.ca (used by permission)
Erasing Your Tracks
Concerned about someone finding out where you’ve been on the internet?
Here’s how to reduce the chances that your internet travels will be traced.
Browsers like Internet Explorer and Firefox are designed to leave traces behind indicating where you’ve been and what you’ve been looking at on the Internet.
It’s hard to absolutely guarantee that your travels on the Internet can’t be traced at all, but here are some simple things you can do to reduce the chances that someone can look through your computer and find out what you’ve been reading.
In general, you want to erase two things:
· Your Cache (this is where the computer stores copies of files you’ve recently looked at with your browser).
· Your History List (this is a single file containing the addresses of the places you’ve recently visited).
If you use Internet Explorer
· Open the TOOLS menu, select INTERNET OPTIONS.
· Select the GENERAL tab at the top.
· In the section called “Temporary Internet Files,” click on “Delete Files”
· Your cache will now be cleared.
· On the same screen, in the section called “History,” click on “Clear History”
· Your history list will now be cleared.
· Note that clearing the cache and history in Internet Explorer automatically clears your address bar.
If you use Firefox
· Open the TOOLS menu, select OPTIONS.
· Select the PRIVACY tab located on the left side of the menu bar.
· Select the “History” tab and click on “Clear”
· Your history will now be cleared.
· Select the “Cache” tab and click on “Clear”
· Your cache will now be cleared.
· Note that clearing the cache and history in Firefox automatically clears your address bar as well.
There is also another option called “Clear all information stored while browsing.”
***This will remove ALL of your browsing history, cache, recently downloaded files, all saved information and searches, all cookies and saved passwords.***
· Select this tab and click OK.
· You will get a pop up to confirm that you are about to erase all information.
· Click OK.
One additional but important tip
When you clear the cache and the history list, you erase not only the information on where you’ve been, but any other information that had been previously stored there.
So, if your partner checks and sees that the cache and the history list have been completely emptied, he’ll not only know that you know how to do this, but he might guess that you’re trying to hide something.
One possible way to avoid suspicion is to clear the cache and history once you’re done looking at information you don’t want your partner to know about. After they’re cleared, spend some time visiting sites that you think your partner wouldn’t object to. This way, the cache and history list start to get filled up and your partner might be less likely to notice that old information is missing.
Other browsers
Other browsers will be slightly different in the detail of what’s required to do these two things. But in any case, what you’ll need to do is clear your cache (or “temporary files”) and erase your history list. Again, this doesn’t guarantee that your browsing can’t be traced. Someone with greater computer sophistication will still be able to reconstruct your net travels. But it’s a good thing to do to make it more difficult for someone to know where you’ve been.
PEEL COMMITTEE AGAINST WOMAN ABUSE
CREATING A SAFETY PLAN
It is important to know that although you do not have control over your (ex) partner’s violence, it is possible to increase your own, as well as your children’s, safety when being subjected to this abuse. Creating a safety plan involves identifying action steps to increase your safety, and to prepare in advance for the possibility of further violence. This information package offers many suggestions and ideas that we hope you will find useful. However, don’t try to do everything right away. Take it a step at a time, and start with the ideas that seem most doable for you.
In creating a safety plan it is important to remember that:
REMEMBER:
Many women have escaped and survived abusive situations. This information package was put together by women who have survived and offer their advice to you.
1. AN EMERGENCY ESCAPE PLAN
The Emergency Escape Plan focuses on the things you can do in advance to be better prepared in case you have to leave an abusive situation very quickly. The following is a list of items you should try to set aside and hide in a safe place (e.g. at a friend’s or family member’s home, with your lawyer, in a safety deposit box):
a) Take a photocopy of the following items and store in a safe place, away from the originals. Hide the originals someplace else, if you can.
b) Try to keep all the cards you normally use in your wallet:
c) Try to keep your wallet and purse handy, and containing the following:
d) Keep the following items handy, so you can grab them quickly:
The Police will bring you back to the home later, to remove additional personal belongings, if it is arranged through the local division. Take the items listed above as well as anything else that is important to you or your children.
When you leave, take the children if you can. If you try to get them later, the police cannot help you remove them from their other parent unless you have a valid court order.
2. CREATING A SAFER ENVIRONMENT
There are many things a woman can do to increase her safety. It may not be possible to do everything at once, but safety measures can be added step by step. Here are a few suggestions:
1. AT HOME
If you are living with your abusive partner/spouse:
If you are not living with your abusive partner/spouse:
2. IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
3. AT WORK
Each woman must decide for herself if and/or when she will tell others that her partner is abusive and that she may be at risk. Friends, family and co-workers may be able to help protect women. However, each woman should consider carefully which people to ask for help. If you are comfortable, you may choose to do any or all of the following:
When arriving or leaving work:
3. AN EMOTIONAL SAFETY PLAN
The experience of being abused and verbally degraded by partners is usually exhausting and emotionally draining. The process of surviving and building a new life requires much courage, and incredible energy. To conserve your emotional energy, and to support yourself in hard emotional times, there are a number of things you can do:
4. A CHILD’S SAFETY PLAN
This plan was developed to help mothers teach their children some basic safety planning. It is based on the belief that the most important thing that children can do for their mothers and their families is to get away from the area of violence! They cannot stop the abuse, although they often try by distracting the abuser or directly interfering in the abusive episode. It is important to tell the child that the best and most important thing for them to do is keep safe.
Children who experience woman abuse can be profoundly affected. It is very traumatic for them to be faced with violence directed at them or at someone they love. Personal safety and safety planning are extremely important and necessary for children whose families are experiencing violence. Children should learn ways to protect themselves. There are several ways to help you develop a safety plan with your children.
5. DURING A VIOLENT INCIDENT
Women cannot always avoid violent incidents. However, in order to increase your safety, here are some things you can do:
Abuse Can Take Many Forms Physical: Any unwanted or non-consensual physical contact or assault Verbal and Emotional: The attack on one’s emotional and mental well being through name-calling and put-downs
Psychological:
Any threatening, intimidating, isolating, or controlling behaviour
Sexual:
Any unwanted, non-consensual sexual contact or comments
Financial:
Control of all finances Spiritual Abuse: Any maltreatment of a person in the name of God, faith, religion, or church
You May Be In An Abusive Relationship If
If you are wondering if you are in an abusive relationship, complete our quiz by clicking here. The information contained in the quiz is not meant to be an exhaustive list of abuse warning signs. However, it is a list of many of the common experiences of woman who have been abused. If you have checked off any of the items you may be in an abusive relationship. We encourage you to seek help.
Cycle of Violence
Family violence experts over the years have noted that there often is a fairly predictable pattern of behaviour in abusive relationships. This is called the Cycle of Violence. To Learn About the Cycle of Violence Click here. (Used by permission)
Power and Control Wheel and Equality Wheel
Back in the 1980s the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project in Duluth, Minnesota designed a wheel graphic showing the characteristics of abusive and non abusive relationships. These wheels have been widely used in the field of Violence Against Women work.
To view the Power and Control Wheel click here. (Used by permission)
To view the Equality Wheel click here. (Used by permission)
Safety Planning
You have the right to be safe. If you are living in an abusive relationship, or have recently left one, or if you are afraid for your safety due to abuse creating a safety plan can assist you to feel safer and more in control of your life. We encourage you to create your own safety plan. We have provided a document which provides a great deal of information and suggestions about what should be included in your safety plan and steps that you can take to make you feel safer. To view the safety plan document, click here.
Hiding your internet tracks
In some cases, women in abusive relationships are concerned about their abuser tracking their internet activities. There are ways in which you can hide your internet tracks so that no one is able to see what websites you have viewed. To learn how to hide your internet tracks click here.
Our intake process is a two part process.
Part 1 – Telephone Screening
Prospective clients are asked to call our office during normal business hours. (905) 820-8984. Any staff member can complete a telephone screening. This is a brief screening to determine eligibility and suitability for our agency. It is also a time when we can provide basic information and safety planning that may be helpful to a prospective client. Once a prospective client is deemed appropriate for our agency, they are placed on a waiting list for the next available counsellor. The length of the waiting list varies throughout the year. Prospective clients will be advised at the time of the telephone screening if there is a waiting list and the approximate wait time for counselling.
Part 2 – Intake Appointment – Counselling
When a counsellor has a space available for a client, she will contact that client and set up an appointment for that client to come to the office for an intake appointment. This appointment involves the completion of a more formal intake form and additional screening. It is possible that this process may take two appointments to complete. Once completed the client is scheduled for regular counselling appointments.
Part 2 – Intake Appointment – Groups
Our groups are open to appropriate clients who are receiving other services (eg counselling) at this agency and also to clients who are only interested in participating in groups. A prospective client on the waiting list for counselling can participate in groups during her time on the waiting list.
Once a staff member completes a telephone intake where the prospective client has indicated an interest in groups, her telephone intake form will be given to the Group Facilitator. The Group Facilitator will call the client and complete a more detailed Group Intake assessment over the phone. She will answer the questions that the woman might have regarding the groups and will identify with the client, the appropriate groups for her to attend.
We offer the following services:
Counselling
We offer professional counselling on a one to one basis. We primarily work with abuse issues and the effects of abuse on clients. We offer short and longer term counselling. Counselling sessions are generally one hour in length and are scheduled regularly according to both client and counsellor availability.
Psychoeducational Groups
We offer a variety of psychoeducational groups between the months of September and June each year. These are small groups, no more than 10 clients per group. They are interactive in nature and are primarily educational in nature. Groups are offered in both daytime and evening time slots.
Each year the following core groups are offered: ” Free Yourself from Abuse ” How to Recognize Safe People ” Setting Healthy Boundaries ” Healthy Self-Esteem ” Building Healthy Relationships ” Anger Management
Additional group topics will be offered at various times during a year according to client need and interest.
Legal Support
We are not lawyers and therefore cannot give legal advice. We do however, provide legal information, brochures and booklets which contain a great deal of information about the legal system and the rights of women. Our staff are familiar with the contents of these booklets. We can assist a client in locating a lawyer in the area. We are also able to provide court support for both family court and criminal court cases related to domestic violence issues.
Client Advocacy
Many of our clients are involved with a variety of different community agencies or would benefit from this involvement. We provide advocacy in assisting clients to connect with other agencies.
Mission Statements
The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory
The Salvation Army is an international Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible; its ministry is motivated by love for God and the needs of humanity.
The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.
Women’s Counselling Centre
The Women’s Counselling Centre is a client centered therapeutic environment providing holistic counselling from a feminist perspective. Our clients are women in Peel Region who have experienced any form of abuse. We provide counselling, psycho educational groups, legal support and client advocacy.
Vision Statement
Within the next five years, the Women’s Counselling Centre will be a strong resource in the community for women who have experienced abuse. We will do this by providing preventative education, counselling support, advocacy and resources related to violence against women.
Values Statements
Safety and Security: We believe that all people have the right to be safe.
Respect and Dignity: We believe that all people have value and we will treat them with respect and dignity.
Compassion: We believe that a basic need of all people is compassion. We will provide a caring environment where women can heal, learn and grow.
Client Centred Approach: We believe that people are their own experts. Our services recognize the woman’s strengths and choices. We will empower women to work towards their goals.
Anti Racism / Anti Oppression: We believe in equality for all people. We will empower women to live free of racism and oppression.
Holistic Care: We believe that people are comprised of body, mind and spirit. We strive to deliver care that gives attention to each of these areas.
Spiritual Care: We believe that it is important for people to nurture their spirituality. We encourage women to be actively involved in the spiritual and religious practices of their choice.
Excellence: We believe that it is important for us to strive for excellence. We will do this by establishing measurable goals and objectives and by evaluating results.
Integrity: We believe that it is essential to be honest and trustworthy. As a professional team we work together in accountability incorporating these values.
Ethics: We believe that it is important for us to work within established ethical practices in everything that we do.
Relevance: We believe that our programs are to be relevant to the needs in our community.
Co-Operation: We believe that it is important for us to work in cooperation and partnership with other community agencies.