C.A.W.E.S. SERVICES

Safe, secure, emergency accommodation is provided in a respectful and confidential manner for a maximum stay of 21 days (unless extenuating circumstances) with a licensed occupancy of 36 beds. All services are free. No woman and/or her children will be refused service based on age, sex, race, religion, sexual preference, cultural background or financial status. Food, personal items, non-prescription drugs, and transportation are also provided.  

Crisis intervention, counseling, support and education is available:

• In-House: To residents 24 hrs/day seven days/week;
• By Phone: 24 hrs/day, seven days/week by calling the shelter or through the toll-free province wide crisis line;
• Walk-Ins: By appointment.

A safe, nurturing environment is provided for children to:

• Allow them to share their distress and pain in a trusting atmosphere;
• Encourage them to learn healthy and appropriate behavior;
• Assist them in developing positive self-esteem;
• Gather awareness about domestic/family violence.

Programming is consistent with age/developmental level and includes:

• Group support for children in-house;
• One-on-one time to assist/support moms with their parental role;
• Recreational opportunities;
• Child-care while moms are attending appointments.

Our Outreach worker provides information, referals, and support to women affected by domestic violence in Red Deer and surrounding rural communities.  Clients may or may not have stayed in the shelter.  This program provides essential support and information.

Information and referrals are provided to residents, women who phone or come for walk-in services - in response to the individual’s needs. Referrals are also made to relevant departments/agencies and to establish ongoing support systems in the community prior to departure. 

• Women’s Outreach – Twice weekly
• David Thompson Health Region (Public Health Nurses) – Twice monthly
• Native Friendship Centre - Weekly
• Infant Pre-school Wellness Program - Weekly
• F.A.S.D. Community Partnership Outreach Project – Monthly

The Batterer’s Treatment program is a 6-15 month program which provides a psycho-educational and psychotherapy component to male perpetrators of domestic violence. There are groups available for both court mandated and non-mandated clients. Jim Freeman Group Psychotherapist Ltd. provides the treatment services with administration provided by CAWES. See our Help for Batterers page for more information on this program.

A 35-week treatment program that provides opportunities for women who are in or have been in abusive relationships to examine their own needs and desires and opportunities to learn to function beyond the battering and discover themselves, their strengths and their limitations. Priority is given to SAFETY of clients. There is no fee.

A 24-week treatment program which provides an opportunity for adolescents (12-16), in a psychotherapy group setting, who have been victims of or witness to domestic violence to make choices that reflect their desire to live lives free of relationship and/or domestic violence. There is no fee to attend this program.

This project is managed by a group consisting of R.C.M.P., Crown, Community Corrections, Children’s Services, Women’s Outreach, Crisis Centre and the Shelter. The project provides court case coordination for domestic violence cases reaching docket court and works to enhance victim input and involvement in the court process, increase offender accountability and enhance outcomes for domestic violence cases. The group also manages the Domestic Violence Support Coordinator project through Women’s Outreach.

In collaboration with Jim Freeman Group Psychotherapist Ltd., the shelter provides Partner Safety Checks for partners of Court mandated men attending the Batterer’s Treatment program.