CWWA
CWWA programs grew out of concern for the children of women who were coming to Transition Houses. In 1992 the BC Society of Transition Houses obtained funding to research the effects on youth and children exposed to the abuse of their mothers, and to develop a program to support young people.
Today there are 90 CWWA programs in BC.
The CWWA program uses psychoeducational methods, including individual and group interventions, aimed at helping youth and children between 3 and 18 years of age to understand and cope with violence against their mother and the effects of this violence on themselves. CWWA counsellors also provide support and information to mothers, non-offending caregivers and individuals who work with schools on prevention activities such as the Violence Is Preventable Project (VIP).
The goals of the CWWA program are to:
- Provide a safe and playful setting for young people to discuss their trauma and learn to manage their response to their exposure to women experiencing violence
- Interrupt, break the cycle of intergenerational violence
- Directly help children and youth exposed to violence in relationships
- Develop parental awareness of how violence against women affects their children
- Raise community awareness through violence prevention education and the Violence Is Preventable Project
CWWA services support youth and children to:
- Express feelings in a healthy way
- Understand that they are not responsible for the violence
- Develop a safety plan
- Identify support networks
- Identify cycles of violence
- Recognize their strengths and increase their self confidence
CWWA services available are:
- Free of cost
- Confidential at all times
- Individual or group-based
- School based educational activities designed to prevent violence
- Presentations to the community on effects of youth and children’s exposure to violence against women
