Victim Services

The Victim Services Program is a recent project under the Health Services Branch of the MNO. It is funded by the Ontario Government.

The focus of the program is to increase public awareness, prevention strategies and provide community resources to the MNO citizens who are affected by violence (domestic violence, child abuse, etc). The MNO makes every effort to provide culturally relevant material to all its citizens.

In conjunction with out Mental Health Program, there will be training made available to the Health Branch Service Coordinators of each region, to lead community group activities. Victim Services will provide necessary tools and resources to parents and children who have been effected by violence.

The Victim Services Program will offer:

• Development of a Provincial Community Resource Directory
  
• Public Education such as educational workshops pertaining to domestic violence.
  
• Referrals to community services/programs available in your area.
  
• Advocacy and Support
  
• Promote awareness and understanding of the Metis Nation to non-Aboriginal agencies / organizations.

Warning Signs of Domestic Violence

The following are warning signs that could indicate that you are a victim or are becoming a victim of domestic violence. Where we use the word "partner" we mean husband, wife, spouse, lover, or whoever applies in your situation.

You may be at risk for domestic violence if your partner is doing any of the following things:

• Checking up on you too much: Your partner may be listening to your phone calls, asking you where you were, calling you at work throughout the day, or checking the mileage on your car.
  
  
• Putting you down: for example, your partner may call you names, criticize you frequently, humiliate you in public or private, or make you feel crazy.
  
  
• Trying to control what you do: Your partner may be telling you not to see certain friends or family members, keeping you from going to school or work, making you stay at home when you want to go out.
  
  
• Acting jealous or possessive.
  
  
• Destroying or threatening to destroy your belongings.
  
  
• Threatening to hurt you, your friends, family members, or pets.
  
  
• Touching you in a way that hurts or scares you.
  
  
• Forcing any sexual act upon you that you are uncomfortable with
  
  
• Blaming you for everything
  
  
• Getting angry in a way that scares you.
  
  
• Not taking your concerns and fears about your relationship seriously.

View additional links section for agencies that can help you in reference to domestic violence. to get information on agencies that can help you. If you require more information on where to get help, contact the MNO Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Coordinator in your area.

Remember that no one has a right to hurt you, whether you drink alcohol, use drugs, or are clean and sober. Domestic violence is a crime. Addiction is an illness. Unfortunately, both of these problems are difficult to talk about.