Victoria tragedy, inquest puts spotlight on response to domestic violence in British Columbia
The British Columbia government announced January 18th that it was taking immediate action to protect victims of domestic violence and ensure offender accountability. The new plans came following an inquest into the murder-suicide deaths of a Victoria family. But critics of the government’s plan say that not enough resources are available to implement changes. (more…)
How men’s centres are, or aren’t, weathering the times
Men’s centres in Nanaimo and Cowichan have experiences to share as 2010 gets underway. From funding crises to start-up challenges, organizers continue to agree on the importance of offering men’s counseling and support services from men’s organizations.
What do men’s centres do? Why are they important? What are some of the issues facing men these days? (more…)
Transgender Canadians are coming out at younger ages than ever before, raising a range of questions about sensitive issues related to gender and identity.*
We speak with Dr. Gail Knudson, medical director of the transgender health program with Vancouver Coastal Health, about some of the key medical and social challenges faced by transgendered people. (more…)
An ordained minister tells his church that he is a transgendered man
An ordained minister with over 27 years of service in the U.S. United Methodist Church shared with his congregation August 30th that he was born a girl and became a transgendered man over thirty years ago. Rev. David Weekley’s story has thrust him into the public eye and earned him a national award for his work and example in the United Methodist Reconciling Ministries. (more…)
Challenges boys face seem greater than ever before
Challenges boys face today seem greater than ever before. Boys to Men Mentoring Network was created to guide boys aged 13-17 through their passage to manhood. The organization believes that boys have had too few positive role models and far too many negative examples of masculinity. Its mission is to help boys become better men.
One of their programs is a Rites of Passage Adventure Weekend, which organizers hope to bring to the Nanaimo region. (more…)
Haven Society responds to need
Half of all Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16 and every year in Canada, up to 360,000 children are exposed to domestic violence. 58,486 women and 36,840 children sought refuge in one of 473 shelters across Canada between April 1, 2003 and March 31, 2004.
Haven House, a transitional house in Nanaimo for women fleeing abuse, sees 400-500 women annually, with another 2,000 women and children in programs offered by the society. The organization has launched a capital building campaign to raise $1 million toward the construction of a new community services building. (more…)
