| Victim Services
The Victim Services Program is a recent project under the
Health Services Branch of the MNO. It is funded by the Ontario
Government.
The focus of the program is to increase public awareness,
prevention strategies and provide community resources to the
MNO citizens who are affected by violence (domestic violence,
child abuse, etc). The MNO makes every effort to provide culturally
relevant material to all its citizens.
In conjunction with out Mental Health Program, there will
be training made available to the Health Branch Service Coordinators
of each region, to lead community group activities. Victim
Services will provide necessary tools and resources to parents
and children who have been effected by violence.
The Victim Services Program will offer:
- Development of a Provincial Community
Resource Directory
- Public Education such as educational
workshops pertaining to domestic violence.
- Referrals to community services/programs
available in your area.
- Advocacy and Support
- Promote awareness and understanding of
the Metis Nation to non-Aboriginal agencies / organizations.
Warning
Signs of Domestic Violence
The following are warning signs that could indicate that you
are a victim or are becoming a victim of domestic violence.
Where we use the word "partner" we mean husband,
wife, spouse, lover, or whoever applies in your situation.
You may be at risk for domestic violence if your partner is
doing any of the following things:
- Checking up on you too much: Your
partner may be listening to your phone calls, asking you
where you were, calling you at work throughout the day,
or checking the mileage on your car.
- Putting you down: for
example, your partner may call you names, criticize you
frequently, humiliate you in public or private, or make
you feel crazy.
- Trying to control what you do:
Your partner may be telling you not to see certain friends
or family members, keeping you from going to school or work,
making you stay at home when you want to go out.
- Acting jealous or possessive.
- Destroying or threatening to destroy
your belongings.
- Threatening to hurt you, your
friends, family members, or pets.
- Touching you in a way that hurts
or scares you.
- Forcing any sexual act
upon you that you are uncomfortable with
- Blaming you for everything
- Getting angry in a way
that scares you.
- Not taking your concerns and
fears about your relationship seriously.
View additional links section for agencies
that can help you in reference to domestic violence. to get
information on agencies that can help you. If you require
more information on where to get help, contact the MNO Aboriginal
Healing and Wellness Coordinator in your area.
Remember that no one has a right to hurt you, whether you
drink alcohol, use drugs, or are clean and sober. Domestic
violence is a crime. Addiction is an illness. Unfortunately,
both of these problems are difficult to talk about.
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