Cornwall Standard Freeholder

17 March 2010

Posted By MICHAEL PEELING MPEELING@STANDARD-FREEHOLDER.COM

The people behind a peer and mentor support group for victims of abuse counselled through the Cornwall Public Inquiry want to clear up some misconceptions about the Next Steps to Healing program.

Next Steps to Healing, said executive director Janet Hardy, is not a long-term program supported by the province, but a temporary solution given government support while the Ministry of the Attorney General reviews the recommendations of Inquiry Commissioner Normand Glaude.

Next Steps is a 15-week program for both male and female victims of historical sexual abuse, allegations of which the Inquiry examined for the purpose of gauging how institutions responded.

As it stands, there is $50,000 of provincial funding behind the counselling program designed for two groups of 10; one of women and one of men.

Enrolment for the women's group is full, while there are still a few spots left in the men's group.

However, only those who were counselled through the Inquiry are eligible to be a part of the Next Steps pilot program.

Hardy hopes the provincial government will decide to adopt the Next Steps to Healing program as a "best practices" model and provide it with ongoing funding.

There is certainly interest from abuse victims, she said.

"We have a waiting list of eight to 10 people, but none of them were registered with the Cornwall Public Inquiry," Handy said.

Next Steps project counsellor Wanda Seguin said it's been more of a challenge to bring men onboard with the native cultural influences involved in her approach.

"Women naturally come into (healing) circles and support each other," Seguin said. "Men don't do that in modern cultures ... It's a challenge for me to make it feel safe for them."

 Michelle Gosselin, of Counselling & Support Services, who is taking care of registration for Next Steps, encourages potential clients to meet Seguin before enrolling.

"Once they do, they all eventually want to be part of the program," she said. "They're all very receptive."

Seguin knew it would be a hurdle to make women and men comfortable with being counselled under the same roof, but has found herself chatting with both sexes together outside the building on Amelia Street in a relaxed atmosphere.

In the later weeks of the program, participants will head to the Belleville area to experience a week away from home involving hours of psychotherapy and therapeutic outdoor activities, according to Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District executive director Kim Charlebois.

Charlebois stressed that the retreat is built on a foundation of therapy enhanced by the addition of outdoor activities that help build self-esteem and trust.

For information about enrolling in the Next Steps to Healing program, call

Michelle Gosselin at               613-932-4610, ext. 30,

or Wanda Seguin at               613-932-1755         613-932-1755 ext. 29.

johnswales2009@live.com

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #1 By John Swales

would have saved us a lot of money if damages were paid then some of the victims could get treatment if they chose out of their own pocket (like I have been told by some of the victims) Instead of having only the lawyers and the shrinks make all of the money out of the pain and misery of the victims of this whole mess. now all they have is some shrink telling them that the only way to move ahead is to allow them to be paid for listening to their stories of abuse and the healing will take place. what a load of crap if I ever heard one. Pay them for the wrongs and stop aking them victims by allowing others to have control of their lives.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #2 By wakeupcall

Like I said before John are you not representing the legal council for the victims so you continue to make money off their misery. Do not lie to me I know some of the victims!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #4 By John Swales,