Latest news with #counselling
CBC
a day ago
- CBC
Nova Scotia court program looks to counselling to stop domestic violence
At Halifax's domestic violence court, perpetrators accused of intimate partner violence receive counselling and therapy in an attempt to stop future violence and repair harm. Shaina Luck has the story.
CBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CBC
N.S. court program looks to counselling to stop domestic violence
In the same year Nova Scotia saw a rash of domestic-violence related homicides, the Halifax Domestic Violence Court Program says it's seeing an increased number of applications. Since 2018, the program has been one aspect of the province's effort to control a problem it has declared an epidemic. The court, which is now handling more cases involving youth and people who are homeless, uses counselling to try to stop violence and repair harms. However, a researcher who's studied domestic violence courts says although there is "anecdotal" evidence that accused people learn better coping skills from the programs, measuring whether the approach prevents new offences is a "perennial problem" that's difficult to track and which the court may not be able to solve on its own. "I think it's definitely worthwhile. I just worry it's not enough," said Diane Crocker, a professor in the department of criminology at Saint Mary's University in Halifax. Crocker said she would also like to see more supports like community-based helpers who can become involved with families in a crisis without going through the criminal justice system. An evolving court Court data suggests the total number of yearly referrals to the court has gone down since 2018, but a court spokesperson noted as of this spring, it is seeing "increased application." Between March and May 2025, the program saw a roughly 30 per cent increase in applications over the same period last year, the data shows. According to an association that represents women's shelters, the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia, the number of women and children experiencing violence and seeking help has increased by 182 per cent since 2019. In response, Nova Scotia announced new funding for transition houses and is working on an " engagement table" that will incorporate views from experts and people with lived experience. 'They're unpacking a lot of things' Cases that come before the Domestic Violence Court Program begin in regular provincial court and are assessed for entry into the program if the accused person wants to be referred. The case must have the Crown's approval to proceed in the program. The program tries to use counselling to stop abusive behaviour. It's an approach that sometimes draws skepticism from both the victim and the accused. "I think some victims may be of the view that [the accused abuser is] only doing this so they won't get a record and they're getting out of real consequence," said Matthew Darrah, the Nova Scotia Legal Aid lawyer who is dedicated to the court and acts as the lawyer for many of the accused. Darrah said the program can be a "huge commitment" that might involve 30 counselling sessions. "They're unpacking a lot of things, talking about very personal matters, making significant changes. So it can turn out to be much different than what they expected it to be." How it works From when the court started in March 2018 to March 2025, 1,146 people applied to enter the program. Data from the court shows that of those applicants, 78 per cent were men and 21 per cent were women. For a case to be accepted, the accused must be willing to accept responsibility by entering a guilty plea. After the guilty plea, the person attends counselling in group or individual sessions, with the goal of better understanding why they acted violently and how to change course. Counsellors hold weekly meetings with court officials for updates on the progress of each case. WATCH | She was a victim of violence; here's why she's helping others: She survived domestic violence. Now she's giving hope to others 5 months ago Wyndolyn Brown witnessed domestic violence growing up and then found herself trapped in intimate-partner violence. After finding the strength to break free, she's helping others through her non-profit organization, Empowerment for Hope. She spoke to the CBC's Elizabeth Chiu. The counselling can take months: the average length of time participants spent in the program was 307 days, as of the last fiscal year. At the end of the counselling, the Crown and defence make a recommendation on sentencing to the presiding judge. If the court is satisfied the person has shown improvement, a recommendation could include an absolute discharge, which leaves them without a criminal record. Removals from the program However, not everyone gets into the program. Of the 1,146 people who applied to enter, 210 weren't accepted. Some accused people opt to go back to the regular court system so they can have a trial rather than plead guilty. The Crown may veto a case if it's judged not to be appropriate for the program. That veto has happened 72 times — 43 of those times the case was deemed high-risk, as evaluated by police or transition house workers using one of Nova Scotia's widely-used risk assessment tools. About 23 per cent of the overall cases are considered high-risk. Many types of violence are considered. Domestic violence cases can involve severe physical assaults, spitting, slapping, shoving, property damage, threats or intimidation on social media. Even after acceptance to the program, not everyone finishes it. N.S. announces funding to help survivors of intimate partner violence 5 months ago Advocates have been lobbying for more funding to address the epidemic. On Thursday, the Elizabeth Fry Society held a vigil in honour of Nova Scotians who have been victims of intimate partner homicide. Celina Aalders has the story. Since its inception, 102 people didn't complete the program and were sent back to regular court to be sentenced. Most of them weren't attending their programming, didn't do the counselling work or kept offending. Jennifer Crewe, the dedicated Crown attorney for the court, says decisions to remove someone from the program are made on a "case-by-case" basis. "Ultimately, if it is determined by the team that this court is not a fit to address the risk or to address any concerns of violence or public safety, a person will be removed." New challenges The court is seeing changes in the cases coming through its doors. In 2018, it was unusual to get applicants who were homeless. Darrah noticed a change during the pandemic when people were forced to live in small spaces together. He's now seeing partners staying together because leaving is unaffordable, which raises tensions. He's also seen cases where the victim and accused are both homeless and living in the same encampment, but are under no-contact conditions. "That can be problematic when you are homeless and trying to find a place to stay," he said. "We will see cases where a client is breached for having contact because it's a small city, limited number of encampments. So it can lead to further involvement with the authorities." WATCH | Access to child care a key barrier to leaving violent relationships: Lack of child care a barrier to escaping domestic violence: experts 3 months ago As Celina Aalders reports, without access to child care and the ability to earn an income, victims of domestic violence often find themselves stuck. More interpretation, younger people The court is also seeing more cases that involve newcomers who require interpretation. Interpreters are available to assist during court, but it's not practical to send someone who needs an interpreter to a group counselling session. They must be assigned to an individual counsellor, and that can mean a waitlist of a few weeks. Some newcomers may be in Canada without full citizenship or permanent residency, and a criminal record could affect a person's ability to stay, Darrah said. "There's real consequences for not complying with the program as well, and that would be hanging over their head throughout that process." WATCH | Black men meet at barbershop to discuss preventing domestic violence: Barbershop meetings discuss ways to prevent domestic violence in N.S. 18 days ago A group of Black men in the Halifax area is talking about ways to prevent intimate partner violence. It's considered an epidemic in Nova Scotia, and Black communities face high rates. Elizabeth Chiu sat in on the group's final meeting and met the people who are helping to bring change. Some content may be triggering for viewers. The court is an adult court, but began this year to accept cases involving youth in their late teens. Darrah said he's "definitely" seeing more younger clients and the court is trying to "get at these issues as soon as we possibly can." Is the court reducing violence? Crocker, the professor of criminology at Saint Mary's University, helped conduct an evaluation of the pilot program to bring a domestic violence court to Sydney in 2016. She said measuring whether someone who completes the court program is likely to reoffend is difficult. "That's a really tricky question, unfortunately. It's the one that everybody always wants answers about," she said. "It's unfortunately one that is very hard to answer." CBC asked about statistics on recidivism, but the court was not able to provide any. Crocker said she feels the domestic violence court's approach is an effort to be "more human" to victims and those who are accused, but it should be supplemented by supports that can help people without needing to get the criminal justice system involved. "To me, it is a good idea — and it is not enough," she said. Nova Scotia Justice Minister Becky Druhan acknowledged the difficulty of tracking recidivism in a recent interview, but said domestic violence is a complex issue on a societal and individual level.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
From Severn Hospice chaplain to counselling with alpacas
The chaplain of a Shropshire hospice is leaving his role after 30 years to pursue a new adventure on his alpaca Edwards worked at Severn Hospice and was a former Church of England he will use his knowledge to offer specialist counselling and training services at his farm at said his time at the hospice had been a privilege, often helping people and their families as they went through end-of-life care. "The hospice has a non-religious foundation, but it recognised that offering a spiritual dimension to its care was just so important," he said."Spirituality is very difficult to define - for some it's a religion and belief in a greater power, for others not. "But everyone has it within them and it's how they respond to that which defines it for them... my role was to help them connect to whatever was within themselves."Mr Edwards also often arranged and performed weddings and blessings for patients, as well as conducting their he would conduct a person's funeral shortly after their helping patients, he also helped staff as part of his pastoral duties."My time at the hospice has been so rewarding and fulfilling, but I'm not retiring, I'm just giving up full-time work," he Edwards will be using his alpaca farm to offer counselling and training, adding that the animals offered a "real therapeutic benefit", particularly for people who are neurodiverse. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Sun
I've come clean about my sex addiction and now my wife's degrading routine is pushing me to the edge
1 DEAR DEIDRE: AFTER years of cheating on my wife, with different escorts and women I'd met through secretly dating and indulging in every sexual scenario you could imagine, I finally woke up to the fact I'm a sex addict. Perhaps I deserve it but since I confided in my wife, she has subjected me to a daily humiliation. At first I went along with it because I was so keen to prove to her that I was sorry and had turned over a new leaf. I've even been going to counselling to ensure I don't stray again. But it's been months now and she still insists on this degrading routine every time I get home. Do I deserve this or is it time that she gave me a bit more credit? If I'm honest, the way she is behaving makes me want to go out and hook up with a stranger again. I'm 43 and she's 42. Now, as soon as I get home she insists that I strip to nothing and then she literally inspects my body to make sure that I haven't played away. I'm so fed up and the last time she asked me to take off my clothes I refused. Later that night she refused to have sex with me saying there was no way she was touching me unless she knew I'd been faithful that day. We always used to have a good sex life but after having our first son nine years ago, it felt like she shut up shop. Looking back, she was exhausted and I could have helped more with all the sleepless nights but at the time our relationship really fell apart. I felt like the spare part in my own home as she was so focused on our baby. Dear Deidre: Cheating and can you get over it I ended up turning to porn which quickly developed into hooking up with random women who I met through various sites. The whole experience was so depressing and as soon as I'd finished having sex, I never wanted to see the woman again. Then I started going to sex parties, always arranging to attend with someone I'd met on a hook up site. One night I had a threesome with two women, and was pleasured by three other women. As I walked away I knew I had to stop. The next morning I came clean to my wife who was devastated. I was so grateful when she said she wanted to give me another chance. My counselling has finished now but it was helping me understand how I became addicted and also how to avoid falling into the same old routines. But the way my wife is pushing me, I'm worried that I might not be able to hold out. Help. DEIDRE SAYS: Many men who go on to develop porn and sex addictions live with very controlling partners. While they are at home they are model fathers and husbands, doing all the DIY, helping with chores, pitching in with all the childcare, working hard and providing. But their addiction is how they release their frustrations and insecurities. You cheated repeatedly and will have seriously damaged the trust in your relationship. It's good you both want to rebuild your marriage but your wife's daily check ups are in danger of blocking any healing. Talk to your wife and explain how these checks are making you feel. Her behaviour is very controlling and so far away from building trust that something has to change. I would strongly recommend getting couples therapy - with a sex and porn addiction specialist if you can. The Laurel Centre ( can support you both. They will be able to help you both establish a more trusting connection so that your marriage has a real chance. Dear Deidre's Sex Addiction Problems From compulsive hook-ups to secret visits to escorts, sex addiction regularly surfaces in Deidre's inbox. One woman feared her marriage was beyond repair after learning her husband was addicted to sex and repeatedly cheating on her with other women. Another reader was haunted by the risk of STIs after a secretive pattern of paying for escorts spiralled out of control. And a third man admitted his obsession with porn and multiple affairs had left him desperate to save his marriage before it completely unraveled. Sex addiction — sometimes called compulsive sexual behaviour — isn't about enjoying sex a lot. It's about feeling unable to stop. People with sex addiction may spend hours seeking porn, arranging hookups, or fantasising, even when it causes distress, damages relationships, or gets in the way of work or daily life. The key feature isn't the amount of sex — it's the loss of control. Common signs include: Feeling anxious or depressed when you're not engaging in sexual activity Trying (and failing) to cut back on porn, sex, or risky encounters Hiding behaviour from partners or friends Using sex to escape emotional discomfort Neglecting responsibilities or loved ones in favour of sexual activity Where to find support: 12-step programmes like Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) Therapy, especially CBT or psychosexual counselling NHS referrals for compulsive behaviour or addiction services For many, healing begins with recognising that sex addiction isn't about lack of willpower — it's about pain, coping, and the need for support rather than shame. Ask me and my counsellors anything Every problem get a personal and private reply from one of my trained counsellors within one working day. Sally Land is the Dear Deidre Agony Aunt. She achieved a distinction in the Certificate in Humanistic Integrative Counselling, has specialised in relationships and parenting. She has over 20 years of writing and editing women's issues and general features. Passionate about helping people find a way through their challenges, Sally is also a trustee for the charity Family Lives. Her team helps up to 90 people every week. Sally took over as The Sun's Agony Aunt when Deidre Sanders retired from the The Dear Deidre column four years ago. The Dear Deidre Team Of Therapists Also Includes: Kate Taylor: a sex and dating writer who is also training to be a counsellor. Kate is an advisor for dating website OurTime and is the author of five self-help books. Jane Allton: a stalwart of the Dear Deidre for over 20 years. Jane is a trained therapist, who specialises in family issues. She has completed the Basic Counselling Skills Level 1, 2, and 3. She also achieved the Counselling and Psychotherapy (CPCAB) Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Studies. Catherine Thomas: with over two decades worth of experience Catherine has also trained as a therapist, with the same credentials as Jane. She specialises in consumer and relationship issues. Fill out and submit our easy-to-use and confidential form and the Dear Deidre team will get back to you. You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page or email us at: deardeidre@
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Mental Health Aberdeen: Charity closes due to 'growing pressure'
An Aberdeen charity which provides mental health counselling has announced it has closed with immediate Health Aberdeen (MHA) said it had taken the decision after "working tirelessly to explore all available options."The charity - which operated for 75 years - added it faced a complex set of circumstances, including growing pressure on its a statement the charity said funding had been reduced or withdrawn and rising operational costs including a "significant increase" in National Insurance contributions led to the closure. MHA provided various services including counselling, services in schools and community projects. Announcing the closure the charity said: "Despite the team's tireless efforts to meet rising demand, our current income can no longer sustain the level of service we aim to provide. "Like many third sector organisations across the country, we are facing the stark reality of being asked to do more with less - a position that is no longer viable."MHA also called on "funders, partners, decision-makers, and government policy makers" to recognise the need for more investment in mental health services. It added: "It is vital that charities, like ours, are given the tools and resources to continue delivering essential services to those who need them most, before it's too late." 'Remaining assets' Charity regulator OSCR said: "As part of the wind-up process, they must apply to OSCR for consent. "During this process, we will engage with them to ensure that any remaining assets are used solely for charitable purposes, as required by charity law."Last year a number of charities warned they had "nowhere to cut" and their operations were in jeopardy due to the increase in employers' National UK government said at the time that it supported charities through a "world-leading tax regime which provided £6bn in relief for the sector in the last year alone".It added that an increased employment allowance would protect charities, meaning more than half of them with NI liabilities would "either gain or see no change".
