Virginia Logan, Coordinator of Family Violence Prevention Program (FVPP) of Woolwich Community Services (WCS), graciously took time out of her very busy schedule to discuss some important issues within the violence against women (VAW) sector, as well as the critical work being done by her program. In explaining the services offered by FVPP she identified that they serve the rural communities of Woolwich, and Wellesley Townships. The Family Violence Prevention

Program has been operating as a Crisis & Support program since 1990.

There are three components to the program: Public Education, Individual

Support, and four stages of Women’s Groups. Ms. Logan drew attention

to the proactive work conducted by WCS through their Family Violence

Prevention Program.  Public Education has been provided to all

elementary schools since 2001 within their catchment area. Currently the

Educator provides the same three healthy relationship lessons to each

class, in each school in an age-appropriate way on a yearly basis. 

Individual Support is provided to women who are victims of relationship

violence. The first step is the development of a safety plan for the person.

Information and referral to relevant supports are provided and assistance

in accessing these supports is a main function of the FVPP, which may

include police, housing, financial and legal. 

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            Ms. Logan also discussed the very well-developed Women’s groups at FVPP. She explained that there are four unique stages of Women’s groups. The first stage of which is a 10-week psychoeducational group that runs twice per year. The second stage group provides an introduction to personal goal setting with hands on experience. The women are expected to plan, create, and complete a personal mask, which represents their individual goal.  The third FVPP women’s group takes place every two to four years and is an intensive, four-day wilderness therapy experience, entitled, “Women of Courage”. This program is facilitated by FVPP staff, alongside a trauma therapist and includes camping, low ropes course, caving, rock climbing and high ropes course. The women are encouraged to participate in all activities however, everything is challenge by choice. The research on wilderness therapy states that women may experience the growth that you would expect in six to twelve months of intensive psychotherapy. The fourth stage of Women’s Group “Inward Bound” takes place a year after the women have participated in Women of Courage Weekend. This three-day weekend focuses on healthy living.  Women are encouraged to be positive with themselves and recognize their positive qualities. It combines practicing boundary setting in a safe environment with education on the boundary setting process.

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           Discussing the benefits of the work conducted by FVPP, Ms. Logan explained that dealing with the crisis is imperative but in order for women to heal and move on to healthy relationships with themselves and others (which stops the cycle of abuse) we need to be like “a long distance runner”. When women get the individual support, participate and complete the groups and work through their past traumas with a trauma therapist, their lives change. Ms. Logan stated that the FVPP staff get to walk along-side women as they get out and become safe… stay out …heal… and move on to healthier relationships. It doesn’t get any better than that!

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When examining feminism as a theoretical framework for the VAW sector, Ms. Logan finds herself speaking more about the importance of equality and healthy relationships.

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            When asked if she believed VAW work was political, Ms. Logan stated that she does. It is critical that political leaders both role-model and advocate for gender equality and ending violence against women and children. She acknowledges that progress is being made and with political awareness, will continue.

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            In regard to her wishes for a public VAW Forum for agencies within the Central Region of Ontario, Ms. Logan stated that she hopes that WCS will continue to be an active participant in the on-going dialogue throughout the region’s collaboration. FVPP participates in the D.A.R.T. committee which provides opportunity to actively engage in discussions and sharing of information and resources. Virginia also explained that she is very grateful for this opportunity as, like many other agencies, WCS is experiencing a very heavy work load, and collaboration may provide ways to lighten this load and/or better assist women.