Family Violence Initiative

COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA

INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Healthy Relationships: Women

Program Name:

Supporting Women's Wellness

Organization/Community:

Antigonish Women's Resource Centre

Location:

Paqtnkek Mi'kmaq Nation, Nova Scotia

Website:

www.antigonishwomenscentre.com

Goals and Objectives:

To provide women and adolescent girls in Paqtnkek with information, problem-solving support counselling, and advocacy on the range of issues they face in their lives, reducing their vulnerability to violence.

Target Group Description:

Adolescent girls, women and their families.

Program Description:

The community outreach worker offers services in Paqtnkek Mi'kmaq Community on a weekly basis. Services include one on one support to women and girls, provision of the Antigonish Women's Resource Centre programs: Inspire; Resisting Violence: Rural Women and Girls Take Action; Lindsay's Health Centre for Women; Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program; Sexual Trauma Survivors Group; Healthy Relationships for Youth; and Creative Circle.

Program Successes/Impact:

Empowering youth and women and families is the most significant accomplishment.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

Sustainable funding. Successfully implementing a confidentiality policy in such a small community.

Program in operation since:

2010.

Program:

Ongoing.