The Williams Lake Restorative Justice program announced Thursday the launch of the Circles of Strength program, which uses the Peacemaking Circle approach for specifically identified spousal assault files in the Williams Lake community.
The goal of the Circles of Strength program is education and change for the participants, not necessarily resolution and reconciliation.
“The goal is create healthy people,” says Williams Lake safer communities co-ordinator Dave Dickson. “We want to identify the issues people have, and to help solve those problems. Our focus is not on keeping relationships together, but to help individuals.”
Circles of Strength, led by Elizabeth Hutchison and Michael Lucas, offers families who participate the ability to experience a higher degree of conflict resolution and counselling support in response to reported incidents of spousal assault.
The program is hoped to lead to a decreased incidence of repeated assaults within the family. Circle of Strength meetings may be held with the family, support people, community members and a trained facilitator.
The program is looking for volunteers, particularly men, to contribute to its success. Training will be provided in the next month, with dates to be announced.
“We have found that a circle approach can be very beneficial for all participants, and look forward to this innovative approach to helping people,” Dickson says.
For more information, or to volunteer, call Dickson at 250-392-8701.