The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

the HERALD Community Wednesday August The system will work if followed through PALMER Herald Special A victim of family violence is usually assaulted many times thirty five times on average to ever seeking intervention by police Women are victims in onethird of homicides in Canada One in three victims of family violence is beaten on a regular basis Often the first act of violence against a woman will cur during pregnancy The reasons for not going to police include the fear of retaha by her male partner the threat of losing custody of her children the fear the abuser will lose his job the fear of not being believed by police and not wan ting to deal with a slow and made quate legal system Police intervention appears to protect women from more violence and from more severe injuries Police will lay a charge where they have reasonable grounds even though visible In junes may be minimal When police lay the charge the victim of the assault is twice as likelj to follow through on the charge There are valid reasons to pur sue an assault through the court system The majority of assaulted women who enter the system report a reduction in violence Yes there may be fear of reprisal from a mate but he may be discouraged from further acts of violence because of the charge on record For many women just admitting they have been assaulted is a Step in regain ing their self respect and self esteem We must remember that some convicted abusers will still fail to ACTON SOCIAL SERVICES INFORMATlONfjps CENTRE l Join the TEAM TEAM EDUCATION OPEN HOUSE Are you a young mother who wants to go back to school but can find child care Wh not joinusatTEAM Teen Education and Motherhood TEAM enables pregnant teenagers and young mothers to finish their education in a friendly supportive environ The students using in dependent materials are able to work at their own pace with teaching staff who are available to help them with any problems or concerns An Open House will be held on September 3rd one to three clock at the Band Hall Wallace Street Acton Come and see the facility meet the stall of the TEAM Program and the DropIn Centre and learn more about the program Call 2a74 or 3310for more information 55 PLUS DRIVER REFRESHER COURSE The Canada Safety Council has developed this innovative driver retraining program which helps mature drivers capably meet the challenge of driving in todays traffic conditions This program develops an awareness that per changes can affect driving patterns Classes are composed of four 2 hour sessions The course will begin in October and the cost v ill be For more information call Acton Social Ser vices at 1683 DISTRIBUTORS 2nd ANNIVERSARY SACK TO SCHOOL BASEBALL JERSEYS Bog now NHL JERSEYS wNOW FALL JACKETS FULL BACK GRAPHICS STARTER FALL JACKETS Reg NOW CASUAL SHORTS TRPPHIES IN STOCK SAME DAY SERVICE NFL NHL MLB TSHIRTS AND SWEATSHIRTS FEATURING IA RAIDERS PITTSBURGH PENGUINS DETROIT TIGERS HOCKEY TSHIRTS HATS JERSEYS HOCKEY EQUIPMENT NOW IN STOCK Cooper MAIN ST GEORGETOWN recognize their problem and will still blame their victim for the abuse despite police and court in tervention and extensive counselling The male abuser must go to court for a first appearance and again for the trial Because a charge was laid he will know that his victim means business and that she won t stand for any more violence Even if he is found not guilty by the judge he will be less likely to assault her again It is unlikely that the penalty will be very stiff for a first offence but if he is convicted of assault he may be forced to obtain counselling Our system may be criticized for its ineffectiveness but it is there to help victims A victim has a responsibility to protect herself and her children When a woman goes to court she is making a statement to her abuser and indeed for all abused women She is saying Violence against women must stop It takes a courageous woman to ad nut she has been abused It takes courage to follow through Fear of a dismissal should not discourage a victim for pursuing a charge through the court system When a victim speaks to police regarding her charge she should be honest and open She should check back with the investigating officer often That will ensure her is being given priority The officer must know she is in in following through Pnor to going to court it is im portant to make contact to be certain police have followed up on information provided and are prepared to proceed to court The Halton Regional Police have a Victim Services Unit which can support victims of family violence They will also be able to refer victims to other available services within the Region Our criminal justice system responds only to sexual and physical assaults Our system 15 not perfect but it is improving In creased emphasis on family violence at both the federal and provincial levels of government will ensure continued funding to increase the level of awareness of issues surrounding family violence as it pertains to our policing and court systems Endnote Statistics taken from Ontario Women s Directorate publications Feel free contact Jade by directing letters to her attention at The Herald All cor will remain con Should you wish to speak to Jacle call the Distress Centre at and your call will be returned If you are a woman or child in crisis or an abusive male wanting help call the Distress Centre or dial 911 DENTURES FULL DENTURE SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC Hew Dentures Refines Repairs l Dental Insurance Honoured J Wheelchair Accessibility I AW TRENTON The Clinic 1 Church St Georgetown 8772359 TIRE Rubbermaid GREEN CONE 29 99 GEORGETOWN LOCATION ONLY mats NOWSA VE UP TO 50 AND MORE at OF ARTHUR Famous Name Brand SUITS Reg to Big Selection SUITS Rog to Price and SWEATERS Rag to IBS SPORTCOATS BLAZERS Rug to Famous Name Brands DRESS PANTS Roe Wtolffi SPORTSHIRTS KNIT TOPS Reg to Famous Name Brandt DRESS SHIRTS Lao Chamfer Forsyth 14K Reg to SPORTSHIRTS Reg Save A Off Great Selection SILK TIES SA VE 10 OFF NEW FALL FASHIONS NEWLY ARRIVED SUITS SPORTCOATS Famous names Include Shipley Merit Park Had Progress Brand McGregor Lenox Ashbrftfga end more arriving daily SAVE 10 NEWLY ARRIVEDI DRESS PANTS Famous names Include Merit Nash Pant Sensabert and many more SAVE 10 PLUS SAVE OFF DENIM JEANS NEWLY ARRIVED DESIGNER CASUALWEAR Famous names Include Polo by Ralph Lauren CachareL Henry Cottons J J Farmer Mexx Crossing Britches and so many morel SAVE 10 Visit Oarage Sale Tor even more reat deals Open Mnn Sat I ree customer parking flit largest Canada While youre here be sure to visit Sussmans for Her FOR MEN MAIN STREET ARTHUR S19 848