November is Family Violence Prevention Month in Alberta.

In Cochrane, Family and Community Support Services is the front line provider of services related to family violence.  Annemarie Tocher is the Coordinator of the Resource Centre at FCSS and says that statistics around family violence don't tell the real tale of the issue.

"Family violence is the kind of thing that's hard to track.  The tracking that's done is either through the reports to police or shelter stays.  We know here in Cochrane that the police say that about 37 percent of their calls are family violence in nature.   We believe that Cochrane is no different than any other community in Alberta.  Sometimes the perception is that in more affluent communities the rates are lower but our belief is that it's actually more likely that the reports of family violence in those communities are lower because people are less likely to go to the police for help."

Tocher says the economic downturn in the Alberta economy has led to a greater incidence of domestic violence. 

"Yes, the stats have gone up in Alberta generally and we're seeing at the Resource Centre more family conflict and that equates to a higher level of family violence as well.  Because of the stress that families are under we've certainly seen that the economic situation in Cochrane has been impacted by the oil and gas industry.  We're seeing all kinds of more need around financial stress and we know there can be a connection between financial stressors and other stressors kind of piling up on people and potentially impacting how they're able to deal with their conflict in the home."

Cochrane is limited for programs to help families struggling with domestic violence but FCSS is constantly trying to grow it's services and is doing what they can, according to Tocher. 

"Currently, we offer a treatment program for folks mandated out of the courts.  We run a group treatment program primarily to men but sometimes we have offered the program to women.  Right now we're running somewhere between 30 and 40 people through that treatment program a year.  We've also offered a group for partners this past year.  We've piloted that group and we will be piloting a second one.   That one we received some seed money to pilot it so we're looking for some more dollars to continue that program.   We also offer some individual domestic violence counselling within our Resource Centre but again those are limited and based on some fundraising that we're doing here.  We need a range of services locally.  We're hoping we'll just continue to build them but we're not where we need to be yet."

A push is on to bring an emergency women's shelter to Cochrane.  FCSS is supporting the initiative behind Big Hill Haven. 

 "Yes, we're certainly supportive of that group,   Currently we're the front line service delivery folks so we work with clients to do some emergency housing locally or in Calgary.  We look to the shelter system in Calgary but usually they're full and often times our families would prefer to stay in the area.  We do some creative kind of problem-solving to get people safely sheltered when they need to be." 

The provincial theme this year for Family Violence Prevention Month is, "Reach Out, Speak Out - It Takes All of Us."  Tocher says overcoming the stigma and shame that victims feel is important to seeking help.

 "Reaching out for help is always a good idea.  There are crisis lines that people can reach out and get help anonymously if they're not quite ready to identify themselves.  Talking it through is always a helpful thing to do,   Just being able to describe what's going on and having someone who understands and can help you name what your experience is,   Until someone in the family speaks out, things are likely not going to change.  In fact, they'll probably get worse."

Tocher feels the "Reach Out, Speak Out" theme also applies to neighbours and friends that may suspect violence is occurring in a family.

"I think that being aware that it's potentially happening is important.  That person, as a caring neighbour can reach out to get more information.  We would suggest that neighbours or concerned family members either call ourselves locally or one of those crisis lines to talk through what they're seeing and get some more information that they may be able to pass on to that family if they have the opportunity.  And, if they see or hear anything that makes them afraid for the safety of the family they should know that they have the right to call the police themselves in the moment that something's happening.  Sometimes people worry that they could get in trouble for calling but they won't."

The Alberta government is encouraging people to wear purple, participate in events and engage others on social media to bring awareness to the issue of family violence.

Tocher says Cochrane FCSS is ready to help.  "If anyone has any questions or concerns about what they feel is maybe unhealthy things happening in their relationship that they would be really welcome to call the FCSS office."

Below are resources you can call if you're in need of help.  

Cochrane Resources:

The Resource Centre at FCSS:  403 851-2250  (Mon - Fri: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm)

Cochrane and Area Victims Services:  403 851-8055  (Mon - Fri: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 

Cochrane RCMP:  24 hours - Emergency / Safety:  9-1-1

Calgary Area 24 hour Resources:

Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter:  403 234-7233  (support and shelter)

Distress Centre:  403 266-4357

Family Violence Info Line:  403 310-1818

Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA):  403 237-5888