KW-based program helps break the cycle of domestic abuse

A unique program wants to prevent gender-based violence by turning the focus on abusive men.

The Engaging Men program's main goal is to give men an opportunity to learn how to stop being perpetrators of violence against their wives, girlfriends, or any other women in their lives.

The program by the Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region is free and voluntary.

The men taking part are perpetrators of violence against women who are aware of their issue and are taking steps to make a change.

Jude Oudshoorn, one of the councillors with the program, says the program's unique approach is effective.

"We're trying to put the responsibility where it lies, on the person who is causing the problem," he said, highlighting a need to think outside of the box.

"We do have an epidemic of intimate partner violence in our communities and all of our data, all of our information, shows us that the vast majority of perpetrators are men... We're never going to arrest our way out of intimate partner violence."

The Engaging Men program started in 2023. Over 80 men have gone through the program since then. The course offers eight counselling sessions and also includes referrals to other supports the men might need.

Today, a majority of the outside referrals come from Waterloo Regional police officers.

Det. Const. Andrea Gilker from the intimate partner violence unit at the Waterloo Regional Police Service says there's always been a gap for services like this.

"There's really no downside to supporting men," she said.

"When we help them, we help their partners. It's good for everybody."

Gilker said officers making the referrals have to be careful about which men they offer it to. They need to be absolutely sure that man is ready for a program like this.

"If I see that a couple has had police involvement more than once over a relatively short period of time, then we might mark them as being a good candidate for early intervention," she said, adding those referrals can also come from patrol officers or from detectives in her unit.