Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling and Empowerment (PEACE) for Children & Youth Experiencing Violence

Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling and Empowerment (PEACE) provides education and supportive counselling for children and youth that have been exposed to and/or witnessed domestic violence/abuse.

Domestic violence/abuse is any form of violence/abuse within an intimate relationship, (i.e., sexual; emotional; verbal; financial; psychological; physical; and threats), even after the relationship has ended.

Children and youth are all affected differently. Some factors include their age, duration and frequency of exposure, their safety and the safety of their mothers.

You may notice behavioural or emotional challenges in your child such as: low tolerance for frustration; aggressive words or actions towards others; poor concentration; fear of making mistakes; sleep problems; headaches and stomach aches; withdrawal from peers or activities; poor school attendance or academic performance; difficulty focusing; etc. If your child experiences any of these or other behaviours of concern, he or she could benefit from the PEACE program.

PEACE helps children and youth:

• better understand their feelings and how to express them in a safe and assertive manner
• learn the difference between anger and abusive behaviours
• improve their communication and problem-solving skills
• understand healthy and unhealthy relationships
• recognize safe and unsafe situations; and support them in developing their own safety plans
• strengthen and increase their self-esteem
• adjust to family separation due to intimate partner violence
• that may be witnessing domestic violence after the separation of their parents, or experiencing dating violence
• understand how domestic violence has affected them, and offer a safe place for them to share their feelings and experiences

For children aged 3 to 4 years old, we work predominantly with the parent/caregiver.