{"id":4683,"date":"2020-02-22T08:00:06","date_gmt":"2020-02-22T15:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dixonsociety.ca\/?p=4683"},"modified":"2020-06-10T17:36:55","modified_gmt":"2020-06-11T00:36:55","slug":"listening-to-womens-voices-with-lesly-stopping-the-violence-counsellor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dixonsociety.ca\/listening-to-womens-voices-with-lesly-stopping-the-violence-counsellor\/","title":{"rendered":"Listening to women’s voices with Lesly, Stopping the Violence Counsellor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8th, we’re sharing stories from the amazing women who work on the front lines of our programs, from counsellors to support workers. Every day, they work hard and show great compassion to the brave and resilient women who come through our doors.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n “Violent and abusive partners play a significant role in silencing women\u2019s voices, and women face many barriers to trusting and acting on their own inner voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n In counselling sessions, women tell me about times that they feel <\/em>like something is wrong, but then their abusers say that what is happening is not problematic. Or if it isn\u2019t okay, then the abuser will say that it\u2019s her own fault. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, an abuser might say, “You don\u2019t need to see your friends that often. We should just have friends that we have in common or who I know.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n A woman\u2019s inner voice might say that she would like to have her own friends and her own relationships, separate from her partner. But then an abuser would argue, “No, no\u2014this is normal, and we\u2019re together. We should only have friends together.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n These conflicting internal and external messages can leave\nwomen feeling confused. Many times, due to fear of more abuse, or shame and\nblame from their family, peers and society in general, women decide it\u2019s safer\nto remain silent and ignore their own feelings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the STV Counselling program, I encourage women to pay attention and trust more in their own voice and lived experiences. I show them how abusive partners use certain tactics to maintain power and control in the relationship. As a result, women begin to find strength and power within themselves to rebuild their lives.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lesly Rodriguez is our Stopping the Violence (STV) Counsellor<\/a> at Dixon Transition Society.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Every year, over 500 women and children seek safety, guidance, and hope at Dixon. You can help.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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