By Leah Murray

Women’s Shelter opens outreach office

Mar 8, 2017 | 4:10 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — In honour of International Women’s Day, the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society opened their new outreach office.

The office will provide several supports to people in the community breaking free from violence and abuse.

Programs being offered include one-on-one counselling, emotional support, safety planning, community referrals, information and education.

This is the first time in the 35 year history of the Women’s Shelter that it has opened an outreach office in Medicine Hat.

Young minds, big ideas: Elementary students learn about urban planning with 'Box City'

21h ago

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

“We wanted to be able to have a presence in the community that’s more accessible,” said executive director Natasha Carvalho. “There’s a bit of a stigma with coming to shelter to access services and we worry that some people will then stay in unsafe situations.”

Part of the decision to open the centre was due to the increase in domestic violence cases.

In 2016, police received 683 domestic dispute calls, 123 more than in 2015 where there were 560.

Many of the people involved in those calls would have also met with a member of the Safe Families Intervention Team.

“A couple of years ago we partnered with the police and we have staff at the police station,” said Carvalho. “That really made us realize the amount of outreach support that is needed in this community because our numbers went right through the roof.”

This new centre will also allow the organization to extend services to men and youth who are also experiencing violence in the home.

“I think that if we’re working towards ending family violence we have to look at the whole family,” said Carvalho. “We can’t just take people out and try to fix them, we need that whole piece together.”

Carvalho said all of the increased supports and outreach initiatives are vital because they will help support all survivors of abuse regardless of their age or gender.

The new centre is located in The Ridge professional building at #5-1036 7 Street SW, near the Clarion Hotel.

Carvalho said everyone is welcome to come to the outreach centre to ask questions or seek help.