Life does not end when a woman is faced with abuse. Whether they’re dealt physical or psychological damage, the women who take refuge at the North York Women’s Shelter often feel unworthy and blame themselves for the struggles they have faced in their relationships. The shelter is a safe space where survivors of abuse can go to reclaim their identity and heal without facing judgment. Its Executive Director Charlene Catchpole is a vibrant and exuberant individual whose passion is palpable. Her positive outlook and willingness to discuss any topic makes her the ideal confidante, a trait she attributes to her upbringing as a Native woman.
One of the more sobering statistics NYWS lists on their website is that “women under the age of 25 are more likely than those who are older to be victimized by their intimate partner.” Catchpole attributes this to a lack of education surrounding the subject of abuse. The education system is failing girls as they are not engaging in discussions about sex and relationships. As such, girls don’t understand the level of control they are able to retain while dating and they don’t take the necessary steps to protect themselves sexually. “A level of respect has been lost with young women and their bodies.” Catchpole states. “There’s a pressure for young girls to grow up fast.” We live in a complicated society where girls are expected to dress provocatively to attract attention but are then judged for dressing as such. There’s also an acceptance of the words “bitch” and “slut” even though both words still carry many negative connotations with them. These factors all undermine a young girl’s progress to becoming a successful, independent and empowered woman. This lack of confidence puts girls at risk of being victimized and leads them towards feeling helpless when they find themselves in the midst of an abusive relationship. Be that as it may, they are never truly helpless.
Catchpole and her staff work tirelessly to empower the women they house. The shelter gives women a space where they can talk about their experiences and hear the stories of fellow survivors. This exercise is therapeutic and helps them on their journey to recovery. They learn that they are worthy of love and that they are in no way responsible for the abuse they have been exposed to. Most importantly, they are exposed to the reality that they are not alone and they never will be. The staff and volunteers help the women to make plans and get them working towards a series of goals. They get them thinking about what their future looks like. Of course, this isn’t always easy. Employment rates are down and there is a definite lack of affordable housing in Toronto. Given our society’s constant need for instant gratification, Catchpole wants women to understand that while they may have to take a minimum wage job to pay their bills it is merely meant to fill the gap between now and a better future.
Moving forward, there needs to be more emphasis on educating and empowering young girls in school. Catchpole recognizes that there’s a lot of work left to be done and is active in various initiatives, such as Girls Gab and 16 Days of Action, to engage with people to help bring awareness to the challenges women face. Catchpole encourages everyone to get involved and make a difference.
To volunteer with the North York Women’s Shelter, contact Abby at 416-638-7335 ext 241 or fill out the form online at http://www.nyws.ca/Life does not end when a woman is faced with abuse. Whether they’re dealt physical or psychological damage, the women who take refuge at the North York Women’s Shelter often feel unworthy and blame themselves for the struggles they have faced in their relationships. The shelter is a safe space where survivors of abuse can go to reclaim their identity and heal without facing judgment. Its Executive Director Charlene Catchpole is a vibrant and exuberant individual whose passion is palpable. Her positive outlook and willingness to discuss any topic makes her the ideal confidante, a trait she attributes to her upbringing as a Native woman.
One of the more sobering statistics NYWS lists on their website is that “women under the age of 25 are more likely than those who are older to be victimized by their intimate partner.” Catchpole attributes this to a lack of education surrounding the subject of abuse. The education system is failing girls as they are not engaging in discussions about sex and relationships. As such, girls don’t understand the level of control they are able to retain while dating and they don’t take the necessary steps to protect themselves sexually. “A level of respect has been lost with young women and their bodies.” Catchpole states. “There’s a pressure for young girls to grow up fast.” We live in a complicated society where girls are expected to dress provocatively to attract attention but are then judged for dressing as such. There’s also an acceptance of the words “bitch” and “slut” even though both words still carry many negative connotations with them. These factors all undermine a young girl’s progress to becoming a successful, independent and empowered woman. This lack of confidence puts girls at risk of being victimized and leads them towards feeling helpless when they find themselves in the midst of an abusive relationship. Be that as it may, they are never truly helpless.
Catchpole and her staff work tirelessly to empower the women they house. The shelter gives women a space where they can talk about their experiences and hear the stories of fellow survivors. This exercise is therapeutic and helps them on their journey to recovery. They learn that they are worthy of love and that they are in no way responsible for the abuse they have been exposed to. Most importantly, they are exposed to the reality that they are not alone and they never will be. The staff and volunteers help the women to make plans and get them working towards a series of goals. They get them thinking about what their future looks like. Of course, this isn’t always easy. Employment rates are down and there is a definite lack of affordable housing in Toronto. Given our society’s constant need for instant gratification, Catchpole wants women to understand that while they may have to take a job at Tim Horton’s to pay their bills it is merely meant to fill the gap between now and a better future.
Moving forward, there needs to be more emphasis on educating and empowering young girls in school. Catchpole recognizes that there’s a lot of work left to be done and is active in various initiatives, such as Girls Gab and 16 Days of Action, to engage with people to help bring awareness to the challenges women face. Catchpole encourages everyone to get involved and make a difference.
To volunteer with the North York Women’s Shelter, contact Abby at 416-638-7335 ext 241 or fill out the form online at http://www.nyws.ca/
