The Child Witness Program provides individual and group counselling to children 18 years of age or younger, who have witnessed abuse; and women, aged 16 years or older whose children have witnessed woman abuse. This group helps children learn ways of coping through discussion, videos, crafts and activities. A group for mothers (offered at the same time as the children’s group), provides education, support and a link to what their children are learning as part of the program. Services are delivered in person or over the phone.

Individual support

Services include:

• Comprehensive assessment
• Development of safety strategies or plans for women and their children
• Assistance with parenting skills
• Referral and short term follow-up supports for children and their mothers
• Access to cultural interpretation
• Advocacy with other agencies (i.e., legal, financial, etc.)

Group support

Concurrent children’s group topics include:

• Understanding violence
• Cycle of violence
• Healthy expressions of anger
• Safety planning
• Exploring separation issues
• Addressing healthy emotions
• Self-esteem

Concurrent mother’s group topics include:

• Understanding the effects of violence on children
• Types of violence
• Addressing challenging behaviours
• Safety planning
• How violence impacts parenting
• Fostering self-esteem
• Groups are play based and interactive

This program is available in English only. For similar services in French, please visit the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre’s VAW services or call 613-741-6025.

WOCRC is a partner of Unsafe at Home Ottawa. Unsafe at Home Ottawa is a text and chat line for survivors of domestic abuse in Ottawa and in Lanark County. This encrypted and confidential line is available every single day, from 8:30 AM to midnight. Click here to speak to a trained support worker now