Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter is launching Heal, Together, a new violence-intervention initiative designed to help parents, caregivers and trusted adults recognize when a child may be carrying trauma from witnessing violence at home — and to know what to do next.
Children don’t always show what they’re feeling in ways adults can easily recognize. When a child has lived through violence, their trauma can look like withdrawal, anger, anxiety, tummy aches, sleep problems or even bedwetting.
“The caregiver seeking help is also coping with their own fear, stress or trauma,” said Ernestine’s Executive Director Laverne Blake. “So they may not recognize that these behavioural changes are trauma responses.”
The Department of Justice Canada notes that boys who grow up in abusive homes are at greater risk of perpetrating violence in adulthood, while girls are at greater risk of being revictimized. Statistics Canada also found that children exposed to violence at home have a higher likelihood of experiencing violence later in life.
“Breaking that cycle means supporting both the child and the trusted adult beside them. That’s why we created this cost-free, accessible program,” said Blake.
Parents and caregivers know their children best, but they may not know what the problem is, how to talk about it, or where to find safe, confidential help. Many also worry that seeking support could unintentionally involve the legal system, child services or even their abuser.
With funding from Ontario's Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, Heal, Together meets families where they are. Drawing on more than 40 years of frontline expertise, the program brings Ernestine’s practical, trauma-informed resources to more adults across the GTA. Heal, Together offers resources for caregivers’ own healing while helping them understand what their child may be going through.
To learn more, or share with someone who might need it, visit wehealtotgehter.ca
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About Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter
Ernestine’s is a 32-bed emergency shelter, offering a safe home for adults and their children fleeing violence. Last year, 44 adults and 44 children and youth stayed at the shelter. Ernestine’s provides essential wraparound support services and ensures residents have everything they might need during their stay, from clothing and toiletries to school supplies, baby items, prescriptions, and Presto cards. The shelter’s Outreach Program supports an additional 650 people in the community annually. Meanwhile, the Crisis Line responded to more than 1,300 urgent calls last year from women, individuals and families in immediate danger.
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