Latest news with #supportServices
CTV News
08-07-2025
- CTV News
Ottawa police see 9% increase in intimate partner violence reports so far this year
The Ottawa Police Service says it has seen an increase in reports of intimate partner violence so far this year compared to the first half of 2024. Police told CTV News Ottawa it received a total of 3,580 intimate partner-related reports in the first six months of 2025 over 3,257 reports from January to June of 2024, amounting to a nine per cent increase. In a news release Monday, police said the most prevalent offences so far this year included, assault, breaches, harassing communications, assault with a weapon and uttering threats. The majority of victims identified as female (80.6 per cent) while 18.6 per cent identified as male. Fifty per cent of cases involved people between the ages of 30 and 45, police said. Just under five per cent of cases were younger than 18-years-old. Reports of intimate partner violence have consistently increased since 2021, police said last year. A total of 6,636 incidents resulted in 3,355 charges in all of 2024. In 2023, there were 6,547 incidents reported and 3,820 charges laid. 'If you are experiencing intimate partner violence, please know that help is available, and there are people who care and want to support you. No one deserves to be harmed, controlled, or made to feel afraid,' police said Monday. In January, police announced it would release both annual and semi-annual statistics on intimate partner violence as part of a wider plan to prioritize tackling gender-based violence and violence against women. This is the first semi-annual report it has released. The service hired 'risk navigators' in 2023 and 2024 to assist victims of intimate partner violence who contact police. Police also brought in a new police dog this year specially trained to support victims and provide emotional support. It became the first police force in the country to describe the killing of a woman or girl by a man as a femicide in 2024. So far this year, there have been four femicides in the city of Ottawa, exceeding last year's total. Intimate partner violence statistics so far this year: By age group: 4.8% were under 18 yrs old 29.3% were between the ages of 18 and 29 50% were between the ages of 30 and 45 12.4% were between the ages of 46 and 60 3.4% were over the age of 60 By gender: 80.6% identified as female 18.6% identified as male With files from CTV News Ottawa's Ted Raymond
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sleeping pods for homeless approved for resort
Plans to install four emergency accommodation pods for rough sleepers in Skegness have been approved. The self-contained units include a toilet, wash basin and bed. They will be heated and have solar-generated power. The shelters are designed for people who have been rough sleeping and have complex needs. East Lindsey District Council said it expected the pods would be ready for use by the end of October. Councillor William Gray, portfolio holder for communities and better ageing, said: "Nobody should be without a home and these pods combined with the wraparound support services will aim to get people back on their feet as soon as possible. "This decision reflects the commitment of the council and our community to address homelessness in East Lindsey in the most compassionate, dignified and practical way possible - something I think we should all be very proud of." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Click here, to download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad. Click here, to download the BBC News app from Google Play for Android devices. Sleeping 'pods' for homeless in seaside resort East Lindsey District Council
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Oxfordshire homelessness services say next year 'critical'
Organisations involved in tackling rough sleeping have warned of a "critical 12 months ahead", due to funding pressures and changes to support from the Oxfordshire's local councils, as well as members of Oxfordshire Homelessness Alliance, say a potential change in funding will increase the challenges they a report to Oxfordshire's Health and Wellbeing Board, the groups also warned of the impact of changes to organisations supporting people at risk of government is currently consulting on changes to the Homeless Prevention Grant - which is distributed to local authorities. Proposals are being made to redistribute more funds to places with higher local benefit claim adopted, the report said the changes would involve "large funding reductions" for all Oxfordshire's city and district councils."The transformation of our approach to rough sleeping is facing a critical 12 months ahead," the report organisations also warned that structural changes to Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) would reduce the resources available and create uncertainty within the response to these challenges, Oxfordshire Homelessness Alliance said it would be transforming the way it partnership said it had agreed a new budget in an attempt to mitigate the risks - including "fundamental" changes to its accommodation and support on latest figures for March 2025 show a slight reduction in rough sleeping in Oxfordshire, with 46 people recorded as sleeping on the streets compared to 48 people in the previous quarter.A majority of the county's rough sleepers are based in Oxford - which also accounts for the highest number of long term rough sleepers.A significantly higher number of people are considered as statutory homeless, which includes individuals who are in unsuitable or inconsistent accommodation - although the exact number in Oxfordshire is unknown. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
New HART Hub supports addiction and homelessness across Simcoe County
Organizations from around the region have partnered up to help those in need by offering a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Support (HART) hub right here in Simcoe County. Basil Clarke, Warden of Simcoe County, said the collaboration between the partners will have a greater impact on people who use the programs. 'This is our first big step and coordinating all these groups to come together so we can have many people focus on one person,' said Clarke. 'It's all about treating individuals and getting them through the system and back into their lives.' The partners will provide eight different pathways including outreach, withdrawal management, live-in addiction treatment and pre-treatment, mental health treatment, crisis support, employment and social supports, housing, and Indigenous-specific services. HART Hub Organizations from around the region have partnered up to help those in need by offering a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Support (HART) hub right here in Simcoe County on June 26, 2025. (CTV News/ Luke Simard) An end-to-end service – helping people create new lives. Mina Fayez-Bahgat, general manager of social and community services for the County of Simcoe, said the pathways will provide specific programs for each individual case. 'When you independently look at different programs and how they're funded, they often just treat one component of a much more complex issue,' said Fayez-Bahgat. 'Here, we're having an opportunity for someone to be treated in a customized way that addresses all the issues.' HART Hubs have been put in place throughout Ontario. Simcoe County is a unique program with services and supports across various locations – including Orillia and Midland, referred to as spokes. The region will be the only hub with mobile services instead of a central location. Sarah Banbury, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association with the Simcoe County Branch, said there are many benefits to having a mobile hub. 'Rather than having people come to us, we need to go to them, and we need to explain to them what their choices and options are, and the services that can be provided for them.' Katie Drake, Manager of the HART Hub, said each partner will offer programs so everyone can have a program to suit their needs. 'RVH is offering bed treatments. CMHA is offering community-based treatment,' said Drake. 'We can't really define what's going to work for somebody else.' HART Hub Organizations from around the region have partnered up to help those in need by offering a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Support (HART) hub right here in Simcoe County on June 26, 2025. (CTV News/ Luke Simard) RVH announced a 21-day co-ed live-in addiction program in partnership with HART. Brian Irving, manager of addictions programs at RVH, said the program will provide a wide range of services. 'We're providing everything from individual counseling, group counseling, recreational therapy, life skills education, and composite discharge planning.' The HART Hub of Simcoe County is a three-year pilot project which has already begun to intake individuals who need assistance. Community wellness clinics will be hosted by the County of Simcoe's Community Paramedicine and the HART of Simcoe County navigation team. The clinics are intended for people experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or seeking mental health and addiction support. Dates and locations for these clinics can be found here.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hannah Yeoh pushes for online therapy as youth addiction soars, says ‘stay away' message no longer works
PETALING JAYA, June 21 – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has reportedly called for the adoption of online therapy and support services to address addiction among young Malaysians, saying conventional face-to-face counselling is no longer effective. She said traditional awareness campaigns urging youth to avoid drugs and other vices have failed to stem addiction, pointing to the persistent rise in such cases. 'For many years, the government has been doing the same thing, telling youths 'let's avoid doing this' or 'stay away from that', but it has not been effective,' she was quoted saying by Free Malaysia Today. 'We need a new approach, which is why I have told my ministry to start providing online support or online assistance.' Yeoh added that online therapy offers the anonymity and discretion many young people need to seek help, especially for sensitive issues such as pornography addiction. This comes as she said research by the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia revealed that addiction – from substance abuse to sex and pornography – remains a major issue among youths. Yeoh also urged for a 'second chance policy' for youth caught in addiction cycles, warning that a single drug record could derail their future and trap them in the welfare system. 'If we say the youth are the nation's assets and future workforce, how do we expect them to contribute if one mistake writes off their whole future?' she asked. She said her interactions with clients of the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) revealed their desire to recover and lead normal lives without judgment. AADK deputy director-general (operations) Khairul Anwar Bachok had previously flagged rising addiction rates among students, citing a spike in cases between 2022 and 2023. Cases among primary school students increased from 11,611 to 12,755, while lower secondary school figures rose from 36,236 to 37,321. The sharpest increase was seen among upper secondary students, with cases jumping from 47,951 to 55,855.
