Ishtar Women's Resource Society is committed to preventing, breaking and ending the cycle of abuse.
The Society believes that no person should be subjected to any type of abuse. We believe that people have the right to personal autonomy; political, economic, and social equality; and the right to live free of violence and from other forms of abuse. Women's experiences, voice and wisdom are unique and vital in our Society. The decision to leave an abusive relationship is respected. Members and staff of the Society believe that all women and children have the ability to reach their optimum level through strength, knowledge and courage.
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Services Offered
PEACE Program for Children and Youth Experiencing Violence The PEACE Program for Children and Youth Experiencing Violence is open to children and youth 3 - 18 years and their non-offending parent/caregiver. The PEACE program provides short term education, information and supportive counselling on an individual and group basis to children and youth who have witnessed or experienced abuse. Children must be living in a safe environment away from the abusive person. Clients are provided with education and information regarding abuse, personal rights and responsibilities and parenting issues. A parallel program for parents or caregivers is available. It may include supportive counselling, parental education and/or group counselling.
Community Outreach Services Outreach workers in the Langley and Aldergrove areas provide free and confidential support and resources for women who have experienced, or who are experiencing, any type of abuse in any type of relationship.
Outreach services: * Emotional and practical support, information and referrals according to your needs by staff who are familiar with resources both within and outside of the community * Support and advocacy regarding family law issues, housing, MHSD (Income Assistance) * Form completion assistance
Community-Based Victim Service Program (CBVS) This Community-Based Victim Service Program (CBVS) addresses the unique needs of victims of family and sexual violence. In order to access our services, you may or may not have reported an offence to the police.
Our staff offers support and assistance to female, male and child, victims and/or survivors of: - relationship violence - child sexual abuse - adult sexual abuse - sexual assault - elder abuse - criminal harassment (stalking)
* Emotional Support - Emotional abuse, relationship violence and sexual assault are characterized by unique dynamics of power and control. We will assist you in identifying your strengths in coping with challenges, as well as support you in making your own decisions. We take a non-judgmental and empathic approach with all survivors of crime. We will also help you develop a plan suited to your unique needs.
* Information - The legal system may leave you feeling overwhelmed. Understanding your role in the process can be empowering. We can help you gain a better understanding of the criminal justice system as it relates to your situation by providing information about: > dynamics of abuse > explanation of arrest and charges > your rights and rights of the accused > Victims of Crime Act > roles of justice system representatives > levels of court and court procedures > updates on your police and/or court files > protective orders > probation and parole
* Practical Assistance - In order to ensure you feel supported and aware of your options, we are able to assist you with the following practical tools: > developing a safety plan > accompaniment to report a crime to police > accompaniment to meeting with Crown Counsel > explanation of Victim Impact Statement > assistance with Crime Victim Assistance application > orientation and tour of the court-house > accompaniment to court > assistance in securing translator > referrals to community programs
Women's Counselling Services Ishtar's Women's Counselling program is accessible and welcoming to all women residing in the Langley and Aldergrove areas. All Women's Counselling services are offered free of charge. Counselling Services Offered: * Short-term/Crisis Counselling - If you are still living with an abusive partner, or if you have been recently assaulted, we have short-term crisis counselling available. We focus on safety planning and emotional stabilization.
* Individual Counselling - We focus on providing information to women about abuse/violence, helping women explore and understand how they have been impacted by abuse/violence, and helping women regain a sense of safety and control in their lives.
* Group Counselling - The Counselling program offers various psycho-educational groups throughout the year. > Surviving Relationship Violence: Group for women who have experienced abuse and violence in their intimate relationships. Group participants will be provided with information about relationship abuse and violence, and develop skills for staying safe, and connect with other women who have also been betrayed and hurt by their partners. > Building Resilience: Group participants will learn about post-traumatic stress responses, identify their current strategies for coping with past traumas, and explore alternatives for safely and resiliently coping with past trauma and day-to-day stress. > Boundaries and Beginnings: Group participants will explore the topic of boundaries, learn how to identify boundary violations, and develop skills for effectively asserting and maintaining healthy boundaries.
Fees and Payment
All of the services are free.
This is a registered charity.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens
Special Groups: Bilingual Faith-Based
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
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A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.