Last month, the St. Thomas Police Service was the recipient of $341,000 to support early intervention efforts aimed at reducing intimate partner violence. The funds will also strengthen victim safety within the community.
The grant is courtesy of the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General’s Victim Support Grant Program.
In partnership with Changing Ways, the money will support Pathways to Change: Breaking the Cycle of Harm.
Changing Ways is a community organization that provides specialized counselling and education for those seeking to end abusive behaviour and take responsibility for their actions.
Insp. Matt Lobsinger with the St. Thomas Police Service explains the relationship with Changing Ways and cooperating on the funding application.
As is the case with Victim Services Elgin, Changing Ways will have an office in the lobby area of the police station.
Lobsinger, who previously was the domestic violence coordinator with the St. Thomas Police Service, explains that a dedicated High Risk Intimate Partner Violence case manager from Changing Ways will be embedded within the police service, working alongside officers.
He stresses that in addition to supporting victims, Changing Ways will will work directly with accused persons by providing targeted interventions, counselling and programming aimed at reducing recidivism, addressing underlying risk factors and preventing future harm.
The initiative aims to reduce repeat incidents of intimate partner violence and lessen the long-term impact on victims, families and the community-at-large. While allowing officers to focus on the core functions of policing.
Lobsinger points out, “The statistics show it’s not always the first time that they come to us. And then I’m also just really hopeful that once offenders get into our program, that they stay in it. Yeah. And, you know, until they don’t need it anymore. And they really take advantage of these supports and they really learn and grow from it and really make a difference in their and their partner’s life.
To learn more about Changing Ways, you can visit changingways.on.ca
Written by Ian McCallum
