Support Groups for Victims

Support Groups for Women Victims of Conjugal Violence

Help & assistance

Our closed, confidential support groups for women victims of abuse provide a safe environment to discuss and listen. The goal of the groups is to help participants break the cycle of violence, show them that they are not alone and identify their options. The aim is to empower and give women direction where to go and what to do. The support groups, which meet weekly for eight weeks, are designed for women from ethnic and English-speaking communities.

Presently available in English, Greek and Romanian depending on the demand and the number of clients.
All candidates must be pre-screened by our social workers.

Support Groups for Women Who Have Experienced Sexual Abuse Within the Marriage

These groups are available for women victims of marital sexual abuse.

Available in English and Greek. All candidates must be pre-screened by our social workers.

Parenting Groups

These groups provide strategies to mothers raising children who are either victims of violence or witness to conjugal or family violence. Issues such as parental responsibilities, discipline in the family as well as the importance of play and child safety practices will be addressed.

Available in English and Greek.

All candidates must be pre-screened by our child educator.

Support Groups for Children and Teens

Exposure to violence has devastating emotional and behavioural effects on children, which can include difficulty functioning in school and maintaining relationships. If the cycle is not broken, it will likely be repeated.
The Shield of Athena offers confidential support groups for children and teens who have witnessed domestic violence. The support groups provide a safe environment for children and teens where they have the opportunity to meet others with similar experiences. This helps both to end the isolation many young people feel and to lessen feelings of guilt and self-blame. Our aim is also to identify and develop ways of dealing with anger and as well to equip the children and teens with a safety plan for their protection. Mothers will participate in a parallel activity and discuss their child's issues with another social worker in order to develop ways to better meet their needs. Workers will help empower mothers to develop techniques that will be both assertive and supportive in dealing with their children. Groups meet weekly for eight weeks.

Available in English.
Transportation is available for all children.

Eligibility
The support groups are open to children age 6 to 12 and teens between 13 and 17 (depending on the demand) who have been affected by violence.
All children must be referred from the social services network where a need has been verified or already be an existing client.

  • Children and mothers must be pre-screened by our social workers.
  • Children must have written permission by parent/legal guardian to participate.
  • Children must not present serious behavioural or substance abuse problems.

All services are offered free of charge.

For more information on any of our services or to book an appointment, call
514-274-8117 (Montreal office)
or
450-688-6584 (Laval office)
or email us at:
bouclierdathena@bellnet.ca

These programmes are made possible through the generous support of l’Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Laval, l’Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal and Batshaw Youth and Family Centres.