About Us
Beliefs and Aims
The following beliefs and aims inform and guide the work of this committee.
We believe:

 

  1. All persons have the right to live free from the presence or threat of violence.
  2. All persons have the right to be treated with equality in a sensitive and respectful manner, regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation/preference, religion, ability or age.  
  3. All persons found guilty of violent offences must be held accountable for their actions through the criminal, civil and/or family court systems.
  4. All programs and services shall hold perpetrators accountable for their violent and abusive behaviour.
  5. Professional agencies, institutions, organizations and coordinating committees involved in the issues of domestic and sexual violence must be accountable to victims/survivors of such violence.
  6. All organizations, services and committees must be fully accessible.
  7. All victims/survivors have the right to prompt, effective responsible intervention and support to ensure that they are not re-victimized throughout the process of disclosure, investigation, prosecution and recovery.
  8. All victims/survivors have the right and ability to make informed choices involving the specific type of treatment, counselling or support they will receive throughout the disclosure and recovery process. These choices should be respected.
  9. The prevalence, complexity and severity of violence demand a comprehensive community response, which is inclusive of victims/survivors and perpetrators.

    10.  We aim to:

     

    1.    Promote awareness and understanding about the issues of violence within the community.

    2.  Promote community education, professional development and encourage and support effective social action designed to eradicate violence.

    3.  Support responsible prevention initiative and services for victims/survivors.

    4.  Work toward ensuring that the judicial system and professional interventions hold perpetrators accountable for their actions through the criminal, civil and family court systems.

    5.  Promote fully accessible services for victims/survivors and perpetrators within the community.

    6.  Provide leadership for a coordinated community response to violence with specific attention to the development of complementary and effective therapeutic and advocacy services for victims/survivors and significant others.

    7.  Develop and demonstrate mutual respect for and understanding of the various roles and responsibilities of the different professionals and agencies involved with victims/survivors, their children, significant others and/or perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence.