SOOKE TRANSITION HOUSE SOCIETY

Since 1994, the Sooke Transition House Society (STHS) has been providing emergency programs and services to women and their children who are in crisis resulting from violence. Our team of compassionate professionals are dedicated to providing support to women who experience —or bear witness to—abuse, are at risk of abuse, threats, and/or violence.

Our Vision

We envision a world free from all forms of violence, discrimination and gender inequalities where human rights and dignity are respected and where women and children participate fully in the decisions that affect their lives. When we refer to “women”, we are referring to women in all their diversity, inclusive of LGBTQ2SAI+ individuals.

Our Purpose

We are dedicated to supporting women and children affected by gender-based violence by offering safe and supportive shelter, housing, counselling and other services women may require.  We also engage in education and activities aimed at preventing gender-based violence and promoting a balance of power in society.

Our Values

• Compassion: We treat women and children with empathy, kindness, and compassion.

• Courage: We advocate for the women and children that we serve; we are courageous in our work with the community, pursuing societal change.

• Diversity: We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive community where all feel welcome, safe, accepted and appreciated.

• Empowerment: We are committed to providing information and resources which will enable women to make informed decisions. We provide services to empower and enhance clients’ ability to discover their strength and thrive.

• Integrity: We act ethically, with fairness.  We maintain an objective lens by recognizing our personal biases and moving past them. 

• Respect: We respect our clients, staff, volunteers, and community partners.

• Safety: We provide a safe, confidential physical and emotional space for clients, free from physical and emotional danger, to feel secure, to recover and grow.

• Trust:  We are trustworthy, honest, confidential, accountable, professional, and dedicated.

Our Programs

24 Hour Crisis Line 

The STHS 24hr Crisis Line offers compassionate, judgement-free support and information for women who are experiencing or have experienced violence and abuse. Concerned family and friends, as well as professionals, can call for support and information. The Crisis Line is operated by trained staff and volunteers. Services offered include assistance in connecting with agencies and resources offering legal, medical, housing or financial help as well as referrals to counselling services.

Emergency Housing 

Annie’s Place is a transition house located in Sooke, on Vancouver Island that is available at no cost to all women* and their children seeking safe haven when leaving a violent situation. The house is staffed 24 hours a day and provides safe, clean, confidential and temporary emergency accommodation. It is a place designed and dedicated to being free from the threat of violence.

Outreach

The STHS Outreach Worker provides women living in our community with free, short-term case management. They are an alternative for women who do not want or need to enter the shelter; services can be provided in a safe location to meet individual needs.  Outreach services may include safety planning, abuse education, emotional support, systems navigation, and/or needs assessments, resulting in referrals and assistance accessing community resources.

Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling, and Empowerment - PEACE

The PEACE program offers individual and group counselling focused on helping children recognize abusive behaviour, while learning tools to manage their experiences and emotions and consider alternatives to violence in their own behaviour. This program helps to stop the intergenerational cycle of abuse for children aged 3–18 who have witnessed violence and abuse.

Stopping the Violence Program -STV

The STHS STV program provides individual and group trauma-informed counselling for women currently experiencing abuse or who are leaving or have left an abusive relationship. Clients are guided to recognize the different forms of abuse and to explore the impacts of abuse. Our counsellor may assist women in developing a safety plan, learning to set boundaries, and building self-esteem. Women are also connected to other community services and programs through STV.

Victim Services - VS

Our Police Based Victim Services (VS) Program is run in conjunction with the Sooke RCMP Detachment. Our VS staff respond to callouts from RCMP and hospitals to provide initial critical incident defusing, incident stabilization, and to liaise between victims and emergency personnel. Victim Services staff also provide criminal justice information and support, safety planning, information and referrals, and emotional and practical support as cases proceed through the criminal justice system.

Violence Is Preventable Program – VIP

The STHS Violence is Preventable (VIP) Program is a public education and awareness program facilitated by the PEACE program staff. Counsellors offer age-appropriate, interactive workshops and education to youth and educators about dating violence, healthy relationships, boundaries and more. The VIP program helps break the cycle of violence against women and children.

https://www.sooketransitionhousesociety.com/