Our counsellors provide free and confidential counselling services, in a safe environment, to women who have or are experiencing violence or abuse.

We provide support and information while focusing on your needs and safety.

What is Abuse?

Physical abuse includes:

• Pushing, shaking, shoving
• Hitting, kicking
• Choking, restraining
• Deprivation of food, sleep
• Forced/unwanted sex
• Stalking, harassment
• Throwing objects
• Using weapons
• Threats to harm you, your children, family, pets or possessions

Other forms of abuse:

• Name calling
• Jealousy
• Controlling money
• Keeping you from work
• Manipulation
• Mind games
• Isolating you from friends, family or support services

You are not responsible for your partner’s violence.

We can help you take steps towards safety. Call us to speak with someone about your situation.

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Our outreach worker provides free and confidential mobile support services to women who or are experiencing violence or abuse.

We provide support and information while focusing on your needs and safety. 

Services are provided throughout the North Okanagan.

What is Abuse?

Physical abuse includes

• Pushing, shaking, shoving
• Hitting, kicking
• Choking, restraining
• Deprivation of food, sleep
• Forced/unwanted sex or touching
• Stalking, harassment
• Throwing objects
• Using weapons
• Threats to harm you, your children, family, pets or possessions

Other forms of abuse

• Name calling
• Jealousy
• Controlling money
• Keeping you from work or school
• Manipulation
• Mind games
• Isolating you from friends, family or support services

You are not responsible for your partner’s violence.

We can help you take steps towards by providing individual support, to family court or, help with forms, safety planning, help to find housing or apply income assistance and provide referrals to other services.

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Our counsellors provide free counselling services, in a safe environment, to children and youth who have experienced violence or abuse in their home.

We provide an opportunity for children to share their feelings, learn coping strategies and on healthy relationships.

Parents are provided programming to support their parenting.

How does family conflict affect children?

Impacts can include:

• Fear
• Anxiety
• Trouble sleeping
• Aggression
• Depression
• Problems with peers and at school 

Children and youth living in homes where violence occurs are impacted by their environment. This is a program specifically designed to meet their needs and assist in their ongoing development.

This program serves children and youth ages 5 to 18 years. 

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The Support to Young Parents Program provides support to pregnant and parenting teens and young women (ages 15—24) in a residential setting.

Services include:

• An apartment with affordable rent
• Parenting support, information, and referrals
• Life skills and Personal growth groups
• Peer relationship development
• Supportive counselling

Referral Process

1. Phone Program staff at 250-549-2887
2. Tour the program (bring a support person if you wish)
3. If you are interested, a meeting will be held with the staff, your social worker (if you have one) and you.
4. You may be placed on a wait list
5. You will arrange with Income Assistance for rental support if no other income

Assessment is provided at Transition House prior to acceptance

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Homelessness Prevention Program assists women who have experienced violence and are homeless or at risk of homelessness to find and/or maintain housing. This includes women leaving corrections and hospital systems.

Support includes

• Directly engaging to assess individual and family’s housing needs
• Connecting to affordable housing
• Referring to appropriate resources
• Providing rental supplements if eligible
• Providing ongoing support and follow up

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Community based victim services provides free and confidential services women and men who have experienced violence in an intimate relationship, sexual assault, elder abuse or criminal harassment/stalking.

We provide specialized support for working with the criminal justice system.

Services Provided

• Help understanding the court process
• Court orientation and preparation
• Accompaniment to court and updates on proceedings
• Support to apply for Crime Victim Assistance funding
• Support to write a victim impact statement
• Safety Planning
• Emotional support
• Anonymous reporting of sexual assault
• Services are provided throughout the North Okanagan

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Oak Centre is a warm and welcoming place where children and youth who have experienced abuse, sexual assault, or witnessed a crime such as domestic violence can be interviewed by the RCMP and child protection workers. The aim of Oak Centre is to minimize the trauma a child feels when disclosing abuse, assault, or speaking about what they may have witnessed. Our Child and Youth Advocate, located at Oak Centre, supports both the child and the caregivers throughout the process, ensuring they receive the supportive services they require along their journey to long-term healing.

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Equine-assisted therapy is an experiential therapeutic form where horses participate as co-counsellors. The model applied at The Equine Connection uses a combination of the concepts of natural horsemanship, play therapy, story-telling, and problem-solving exercises.

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