Future police officers in CEGEP getting workshops on domestic violence
The Federation of Women's Shelters (FMHF) has launched a series of training workshops this week, on domestic and sexual violence for future police officers and social workers.
In all, 450 to 500 students from five CEGEPs across Quebec will receive a two-hour training session entitled 'Towards an Egalitarian and Violence-Free Society: The Allied CEGEP Tour', where they will also have the opportunity to speak with experienced workers.
"There are a lot of myths about the dynamics of abusive relationships," said project leader Élisabeth Viens Brouillard in a telephone interview. She hopes that future officers will be able to "better conduct interventions and better accompany victims."
Viens Brouillard said "the lack of training in sexual violence, conjugal violence and mental health is really the heart of the matter."
The first class she visited on Monday was made up of second-year police technology students at CEGEP Outaouais.
"They had not yet seen the cycle of domestic violence, which is quite basic and important to know," she said, adding that the subject "seemed very new to them."
"The difference between a conflict, a dispute, I could see that was also a pretty grey area too, so we really had to talk about it in more depth," she said.
Nevertheless, she said that the session "went very well. It was very constructive, we had some good discussions."
MORE TRAINING PLANNED
The workshops, funded by the Secrétariat à la condition féminine du Québec, will be held over several months in the Outaouais, Garneau, Trois-Rivières, Sherbrooke and Ahuntsic CEGEPs.
They'll be given in classes that teach policing, social work, special education, and delinquency intervention techniques.
"We hope that next year we will be able to offer a full day of training" in more institutions, said Viens Brouillard.
She would also like to expand the program to other areas. "I've been contacted by several people, including those who teach communications studies," whose students will eventually become journalists and will need to be able to "use the right words and be able to describe a violent situation" in their articles.
Last week, Quebec mourned its 17th femicide of the year, following the murder of 24-year-old Montrealer Romane Bonnier, allegedly by her ex-partner.
Meanwhile, Bill 92, which aims to create a 'specialized court' for sexual violence and conjugal violence, is being studied in the National Assembly.
If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence, you can call SOS violence conjugale at 1 800 363-9010 for support and to speak with advocates. This is an anonymous, toll-free line available at all times.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
Mexican authorities say thieves killed 2 Australians and an American to steal their truck
Thieves killed two Australians and an American on a surfing trip to Mexico in order to steal their truck, particularly because they wanted the tires, authorities said Sunday.