North East Outreach and Support Services in Nipawis is one of several agencies benefitting from provincial funding. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Healthy communities

Province expands supports for families impacted by domestic violence

Feb 17, 2022 | 5:00 PM

The provincial government is taking a preventative approach to domestic violence, investing over a million dollars, over the next three years to support the expansion of the Family Intervention Rapid Support Team (FIRST) program.

Among the four communities benefitting is Nipawin. Louise Schweitzer, Executive Director of Northeast Outreach and Support Services, told paNOW the extra money will allow for the hiring of two additional staff, who will work directly with families considered high risk for violence.

“And it’s extremely important to have programs like this in place for the simple reason that it’s easier to prevent something than it is to react to something and then fix the long term challenges and issues that come along with that,” she said.

The FIRST program was launched in Kindersley in the fall of 2021, through the West Central Crisis and Family Support Centre Inc. Schweitzer acknowledged during the pandemic there has been a noticeable increase in the number of calls related to domestic violence.

“Isolation is definitely a perfect storm for domestic violence. It’s one of the main tools that abusers use to gain control and power over their victims,” she said.

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In a statement provided by Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant, he explained enhancing community safety and the well-being of Saskatchewan families is paramount.

“The FIRST program effectively supports families at a higher risk for violence with early intervention techniques that help to mitigate potential crisis situations at home,” he said.

Other communities benefitting from the expansion include Moose Jaw, Estevan, Weyburn, and Carlyle.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell