Ashley Akkermans, Canadian certified counsellor and art therapist at The Outreach Centre specializing in domestic violence and complex trauma and currently working on her certification as an equine psychotherapist. She helped to pilot the Fall program at The Centre, in partnership with Heritage Ranch. (Supplied)

By Alessia Proietti

Family Violence Prevention Month

The Outreach Centre’s equine therapy pilot project helps clients heal from domestic violence

Nov 2, 2022 | 3:42 PM

The Outreach Centre says they have completed a successful pilot project this Fall of equine psychotherapy for clients of their domestic violence shelter.

Ian Wheeliker, Executive Director of the Centre (4101 54 Ave), shared the news on November 1, the first day of Alberta’s Family Violence Prevention Month, bringing awareness to domestic violence issues.

In partnership with Heritage Ranch, Wheeliker says staff therapist Ashley Akkermans, specializing in domestic violence and complex trauma and currently training in equine psychotherapy, accompanied six clients from Julietta’s Place, the Centre’s shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence, to the ranch. Clients did not ride but, rather, worked with the horses.

He says the feedback received was positive, with clients stating they found their work outdoors “helpful and therapeutic”.

Ashley Akkermans at Heritage Ranch. (Supplied)

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While the free program will take a pause for the winter, he says the intention is for it to return in the spring, as a healing tool for those who suffered from childhood or adult trauma, violence, and sexual abuse.

Wheeliker states there is currently an upward trend in demand for domestic violence outreach services, however, he says he was surprised to see that the demand has not reached pre-pandemic levels.

“We thought by now we’d just be sort of overwhelmed by how many people were reaching out,” he said.

“But that doesn’t mean that the domestic violence levels aren’t out there and continue to be very high. It’s just that we don’t have as many people reaching out and that’s why we want to do this public awareness campaign and get the word out there that we’re here, we can help, reach out to us.”

Prior to the pandemic, he says the Centre was receiving roughly 30 calls a month for related services. During the pandemic lockdown, that number was averaging below 10 calls per month, he states. In the past few months, he confirms the Centre is receiving between 10-15 calls.

Wheeliker believes the impact of the lockdown’s closure of services may still be present. He says after over two years of inconsistencies, it will take a lot of work for organizations to let the public know of their services which they may be unaware of or scared to reach out.

Sherri Smith, President of the Soroptimist International of Central Alberta service club, echoed a similar sentiment.

“It didn’t go away. If there were families that were living with it during the pandemic, they probably still are living with it,” she said. “You still hear of instances and it’s just very unfortunate that it exists. It’s an everyday person’s issue.”

“This month is more for awareness, which is great to get everybody thinking about it, but it should be thought about all year long.”

The central Alberta club, geared towards female empowerment, is the only organization in the province that is officially recognized by the Purple Light Nights organization to coordinate the campaign in Alberta.

The campaign aims to build awareness by encouraging cities and residents to light their buildings in purple, the symbolic color of domestic violence.

Officials from Innisfail and Penhold said they will be lighting their town halls throughout the month in purple. Wheeliker said the City of Red Deer will be doing so the night of Nov. 2 while Smith said Blackfalds would also be participating in the campaign with their town hall. The Whitecourt Family Violence Initiative is giving residents free purple glow sticks for their homes while the Town of Stettler also made a proclamation of the month. The City of Lacombe confirmed their Heart of Lacombe downtown landmark will also be lit.

READ: Heart of Lacombe signature landmark installed in downtown

For organizations, Smith says Catholic Social Services will be shining their purple lights while others like the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters and the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) will be hosting various activities throughout the month, including a CASASC Purple Day on Nov. 25, encouraging locals to wear the color.

Smith said many city councillors participated in the day last year by purchasing purple shirts from the Club and this year will include support by the Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association.

All proceeds from the sale of purple shirts, wreaths and lights will go towards the Purple Angel Fund, a Soroptimist initiative to help support educational needs for child victims of family violence. Smith says she is pleased to share there has not yet been a request for the funds, but they are there if a child is ever in need.

The Outreach Centre will be lighting their building throughout the month. Alongside their Domestic Relationship Violence Initiative Committee, the Centre will be hosting their annual Frontline Service Provider Awards on Nov. 28 for those who have dedicated their lives to helping others struggling from domestic violence.

The Soroptimist club will also be attending this Friday’s Domestic Violence Conference in Innisfail.

READ: Let there be light: Family Violence Prevention Month