CMR Canada
Employee and Family
Assistance Programs
Serving Canadians for 20 Years
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CMR Canada
Employee and Family
Assistance Programs
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Domestic Violence: It's Harmful to our Health
Domestic violence is an ancient problem, but it has only been about 30 years since our society has openly acknowledged the damage it does to the health and well-being of the victim, the family, and the community as a whole.
Victims of domestic violence are not just at increased risk of physical injuries. They also become ill more often than average. Because they live with fear and uncertainty, battered women are more likely to suffer from stress-related problems such as insomnia, high blood pressure, bowel and stomach disorders, chronic pain, headaches, anxiety, and depression services than women who are not abused. Over all, they make greater use of the health care system.
The same is true of children who live with domestic violence. They suffer from more physical and emotional health problems than children who are not abused. And even if they are not abused themselves, children who witness abuse against their mothers suffer the same kinds of physical and emotional problems as abused children. Children from violent homes rarely feel safe, and that takes a huge toll on their well-being.
Abusers tend to be very controlling, unpredictable, and easily angered. Thus, family members are forced to become very focused on the abuser, maintaining constant vigilance in order to avoid setting him or her off. These families expend so much energy trying to maintain calm in the household that they have little left to deal effectively with important health issues. For example, a mother who is battered may be so traumatized that she will have extreme difficulty preparing nutritious meals or keeping track of dental appointments. Haunted by shame and fear, these families often do not reach out. As a result, they have less access to the community resources that can help them.
Domestic violence puts a huge strain on families and on our health care system. One study estimates the health costs of domestic violence in Canada to be almost $1.5 billion per year. The number of women treated in emergency rooms for injuries resulting from battering is more than the number of women treated for non-marital rapes, muggings, and traffic accidents combined.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
If you are being abused you are not to blame, and you are not alone. Many agencies can provide confidential help.
If you feel you are ready to reach out, please call one of the numbers listed here:
 | The Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter (403)-234-7233 |
| Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-387-5437 |
| Calgary Police Service 403-263-1234 |
| Edmonton Police Service 780-421-3333 |
| The Support Network - Edmonton 780-482-4357 |
| Edmonton Women's Shelter 780-479-0058 |
If you realize that you are being abusive:
| By recognizing that your behaviour is abusive, you have taken the first step toward change. |
| Take responsibility for your choices and get help in learning non-abusive ways to deal with stress and resolve conflict. |
| Contact - The Men's Domestic Conflict Help Line 403-266-4357 |
If someone you love is being abused:
| Offer support and avoid judgments. This will be easier if you become informed about the issue. For example, it is not true that victims provoke abuse. Abuse is about control, and the abuser is always responsible for his or her behaviour. Discussing options is usually more helpful than giving advice. |
To help prevent abuse in the community
| Become informed and help debunk the myths around family violence, |
| Tell others if their language is abusive or oppressive. |
| Learn about peaceful conflict resolution. |
| Examine your own attitudes on abuse and violence. For example, do you watch television programs that use abusive humour or portray violence as entertainment? |
| Support the Turn Off the Violence campaign, which encourages families to turn off music, TV shows, and video games that are violent or put others down. |
| The campaign also encourages us to help people who are bullied, harassed, or teased. |
| Remember that healthy lives - and healthy communities - are free from violence and abuse. |
Link: Understanding Abusive Relationships Edited by CMR Canada Reference: Grace Women's Health Resource - Elizabeth Miles, MSc, CPsych
Light Bulbs
Two guys are sweeping in a wharehouse
and suddenly one guy starts climbing up the side of the wall and
when he gets to the
top starts shouting "I'm a light bulb". The manager
comes in and sees this and tells him to get down and get back
to work.
After 20 minutes the same guy does the same act. The manager this
time warns him that if he does it again he will be fired
and to stop it. 20 minutes later he is up there again, the manager
says "thats it your fired, get out of here". The man
climbs down
from the ceiling and starts to walk out and the other man starts
out after him. The manager asks the second man where he
thinks he is going and the man says "I'm not working in the
dark."
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For more information on this and other subjects go to Interventions Archive. The EFAP assists you and your family resolve personal problems and maintain healthy and productive lives.
Counselling Services Provided
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How do I arrange for
counselling and/or get more information?
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Simply phone CMR Canada at 403-263-2200 in Calgary, or 1-800-567-9953 from elsewhere. |
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Or, click on Request for Service. |
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Or, e-mail CMR Canada. |
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All arrangements will be made for you. |
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Permission is not needed to use the EFAP. It is voluntary and strictly confidential. |
Your Confidentiality is Guaranteed
CMR Canada
PROFILE
CMR Canada, a national EFAP management firm founded in Alberta in 1990, delivers programs and services that enhance the health and performance capability of individuals and organizations. The firm delivers services to individuals plus their families in organizations located throughout Alberta - Municipal Governments, Hospitals, Unions, Universities, and Corporations and the General Public.
Interventions, the EFAP Journal of CMR Canada, is available to clients without cost.
CMR's organization is simple, efficient, and highly effective leaving the majority of resources, financial and human, to provide service to clients and their families. The firm has extensive experience in designing, implementing, resourcing, evaluating, and managing Assistance Programs.
CMR has an unlimited supply of qualified professionals to engage as needed. Professionals are partnered or on contract to CMR. Included are Psychologists, Registered Social Workers, Family Therapists, Crisis Counsellors, Career Counsellors, and Certified Human Resource Professionals.
Working principles: keep the business small; deliver extraordinary personal service; keep the costs low. This highly efficient and effective business model allows CMR to deliver high quality programs and services at lower cost with increased accountability - and select the most experienced and capable professionals.
To request more information or a counsellor, click on Request for Service.
CMR Canada - Employee and Family Assistance Programs
Head Office Suite 3500, Bow Valley Square 2 205 - 5 Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T2P2V7 Telephone (403)263-2200 in Calgary, or 1-800-567-9953 from elsewhere Fax (403)256-8291 E-Mail: CMR Canada
Alberta Locations
Athabasca, Barrhead, Calgary, Camrose, Drayton Valley, Edmonton, Edson, Fort McMurray, High Prairie, Hinton, Jasper, Grande Prairie, Lac La Biche, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, Peace River, Pincher Creek, Red Deer, St. Paul , Wainwright
