Columbia Valley Pioneer staff

There are hidden skeletons in every community, every closet, and they terrify some people every day. These are women you know, women you care about . . . women battling a nightmare they are desperately trying to wake up from.

But they are not alone because help is available through the Women’s Centre provided by Family Dynamix in Invermere, which is hosting an open house on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at its relatively new location at 1-505A 7th Avenue.

The Women’s Centre offers support services including a safe home for women and their children who are or have experienced gender-based violence. The new space is very warm and welcoming and provides a safe venue to receive support or simply drop by for a cup of coffee.  

Family Dynamix also offers women’s outreach, counselling, housing, and sexual assault services for survivors (man, woman or child). Women and their children come into the program as the direct result of abuse and threats of violence and are given supports with a safe place to stay. The Safe Home program operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week through a 24-hour Safe Home Helpline. Women who need help can call 1-800-200-3003.

It may surprise some people that in the small community of Invermere, the need is great. From the start of the fiscal year in April 2023 to today, the Safe Home Program has served more than 100 women and their children. The majority have faced violence of one form or another, and many experienced homelessness due to abuse. On average, Women’s Outreach supports between 450-500 women and their children per year. Services consist of safety planning, assistance with food, housing and court support.

Women’s counseling, a service Family Dynamix established in 2005, reported over 525 sessions in the 2022/2023 fiscal year.

Abuse and homelessness are the predominant reasons that women are referred to the Safe Home Program, and most are self-referrals.

If you think it’s not happening in your neighourhood, think again. No community is immune to spousal abuse; it can happen anywhere to any woman. It comes in many forms including financial, emotional, cultural, intellectual and discriminatory. 

According to Family Dynamix, there has been an increase in women experiencing poverty, trauma, homelessness, substance use and health issues, which make the provision of services extremely challenging. Fortunately, the organization is able to refer its clients to a variety of support services; for example, mental health outreach  and help for children who experience or witness abuse.

“There are many steps on the road to healing and the Women’s Centre is honoured to support all women and acknowledge their strength and resilience in their healing journey,” Family Dynamix says.

While the subject matter can be mentally taxing, there are numerous success stories that are celebrated, such as survivors moving forward with their lives.

“But on the other side of the coin is the fact that many women have no choice but to leave the valley and their support system due to a lack of affordable housing,” the organization points out.

Family Dynamix admits that gender-based violence is an “ugly” issue, but one that everyone must face. 

“Being aware that assault and abuse are a problem everywhere – even in our own community, is a good place to start. Listen to and believe survivors. Learn the signs of abuse/violence and how you can help.”

Family Dynamix reports that women experience gender-based violence at a higher rate than men.?Therefore, more approaches are needed to work with men who are violent toward their female partners.  

The open house on November 13 is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome to take part in the refreshments and door prizes. Most importantly, staff will be there to answer questions about all of the programs available. And just think, someone’s visit might just raise the awareness needed to stop a woman’s cycle of abuse and put an end to her nightmare.

The Women’s Centre
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