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Shelter Awareness

Warning signs

Apr 8, 2012 / 5:00 am

Photo: Contributed She touches her bruised cheek gingerly and says softly, “It was so good in the beginning! I never thought it would end like this.” She has just fled an abusive relationship following a vicious assault. She tells the story of the...

Fleeing abuse

Feb 11, 2012 / 5:00 am

“I just can’t live like this anymore and I can’t let my kids go through it either.” The woman's voice reflects a mixture of desperation and determination. “I know I have to do something but I need help.” When a woman impacted by family violence and...

Anticipating a 'real' Christmas

Dec 15, 2011 / 5:00 am

  “I hope we don’t ever go back home - and I’m definitely not leaving before Christmas,” a young boy commented fervently a Christmas season or two ago. He and his mom and siblings were staying at the Kelowna Women’s Shelter after another incident of family...

Things can be different

Nov 19, 2011 / 5:00 am

  Photo: Contributed - (Flickr user, intosomerset) She called out to me at the beach. She was there with her children – and her “new” partner. Not so new, she smiled, explaining that they’d met almost 10 years ago now, been married eight,...

Do I stay or leave?

Oct 20, 2011 / 5:00 am

  Photo: Contributed - (Flickr user, tamasrepus)   What does a woman do when she realizes that her physical and emotional safety, or that of her children, is at risk, not on the streets, but within their own home? What does she do when the danger comes,...

Family violence and abuse

Sep 15, 2011 / 5:00 am

Imagine rising early to prepare for an important presentation at the office; weeks of effort resting on the quality of this presentation. Imagine the nervous anticipation, and your desire to present calm, confidence. Now imagine yourself laying out your “power suit” - and beginning...

Abuse is never okay

Jul 8, 2011 / 5:00 am

  Photo: Contributed - (Flickr user, 46253339@N00)   The phone rings and a voice, bordering on tears, says hesitantly, “I was wondering if I could talk to someone?” She hastens to add, “I don’t want to waste your time if...
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Bullies have many faces

Jun 5, 2011 / 5:00 am

    Photo: Contributed - (Flickr user, ainnicer1971) Bullies have many faces; but whether they dominate the schoolyard, the workplace, the hockey arena or the family dinner table the impact on a targeted child or image-sensitive teen is often...

Children impacted by family violence

May 6, 2011 / 5:00 am

While children may be the direct victims of family violence, they are almost always indirect victims, traumatized by seeing their mother beaten, or by the horror of hearing her screams of pain or their father’s shouted threats. Children impacted by family violence have huddled in...
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About the Author

April, 2011 marks the 31st anniversary of the day the Kelowna Women’s Shelter opened its’ doors to offer counselling, support and a safe residence for women and children whose lives have been impacted by family violence, abuse and significant crisis. The Kelowna Women’s Shelter is a place of refuge for women who are not safe in their own homes, women who have been beaten, traumatized, threatened, and have fled in terror from a partner. Our staff and volunteers provide services to women and children in the area boundaried by Oyama to the North and Peachland to the South. For more information visit kelownawomensshelter.ca or call 250-763-1040





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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet presents its columns "as is" and does not warrant the contents.



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