Child Witness Program

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.

 

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