Peer Support Programs for Individuals who have experienced domestic abuse

The Peer Support Program is a community-driven initiative that empowers individuals impacted by domestic abuse, coercive control, and sexual exploitation through trauma-informed, volunteer-led group programming. As the only domestic abuse organization in Alberta offering peer support programming, our approach is preventative, inclusive, and rooted in lived experience. We are seeking support from the Field Law Community Fund to expand and strengthen this program, enabling us to reach more individuals, train additional volunteer facilitators, and deepen our impact in local communities.

Group sessions are all offered free of cost and facilitated by volunteers who have encountered domestic abuse in their own lives whom we train and to whom we provide ongoing support. Volunteer curricula include effective group activities to facilitate discussion, how to curate environments, how to be trauma informed, and building capacity to engage in effective group evaluation and engagement activities. Peer support is a model that empowers individuals through a narrative of recovery, self-efficacy, and hope. It is a proven intervention for working with individuals who have experienced domestic abuse and sexual exploitation. Helping individuals to establish healthy relationships fosters an environment in which their children can learn to lead healthy relationships in the future. Building knowledge and skills to prevent and reduce violence and abuse at an early age can prevent its occurrence at a later stage in life.  

 Finding Our Voices is a six-week group program (one 3-hour meeting per week) which focuses on issues related to self-esteem and the importance of effective communication. Topics include self-image, shame, compassion, and the significance of healthy relationships. Participants share experiences and learn from each other.  

Growth Circles is a 10-14 week group program (one 3-hour meeting per week) that explores the experience of domestic abuse. Topics include understanding domestic abuse, contextualizing experiences of trauma and shame, creating support systems, and building personal power. 

BElieve in YOU is a 20 week group program (one 3-hour meeting per week) that explores experiences of domestic abuse, sexual exploitation and coercive control.  Topics include understanding domestic abuse, contextualizing experiences of sexual exploitation and building personal power.   

The goal of the program and benefit to communities include: 

1. Increased social connections. 

2. Increased engagement in community and society. Research shows that when engaged in this way, social risk factors such as domestic abuse decrease. 

3. Support individuals to make decisions to effectively deal with abuse and coercive control. When they are aware of resources available, individuals then make decisions that keep them and their children safe. 

4. Social return on investment. When individuals make different decisions for their families, their reliance on social systems decreases and their participation in society increases. 
   

The outcomes extend beyond individual transformation to community resilience and sectoral innovation. This project creates a ripple effect of healing and empowerment:

• Participants experience reduced isolation, increased self-worth, and greater access to community supports.
• Volunteer facilitators gain leadership skills and become active contributors to community wellness.
• Families benefit from improved safety and healthier relationships, reducing long-term reliance on social services.
• Communities become more connected, informed, and equipped to prevent domestic abuse and exploitation.