Bethesda House
Helping Women of
Abuse for 32 Years
Laura BurchMESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
We are located in Durham Region (Ontario) where 25% of all calls for violent crime to our local police are domestic related. Durham Regional Police Services receive an average of 21 domestic-related calls per day (*As of July 2018). We know that only about 1 in five women report their abuse to the police therefore a possible, additional, 84 incidents are happening across the Region daily. These statistics do not include human-trafficking numbers or the incidence of abuse and violence in the LGBTQ community, and reflect only the tip of the iceberg in terms of gender-based violence in the Region. It is for this reason that we do not just provide supports to survivors, but also work toward prevention of gender-based violence with adults, youth and children through education and awareness strategies in schools and the community in general.
One of our primary goals is to eliminate as many barriers as possible for individuals accessing our services, and to this end we are very proud to be one of the first programs in the province to bring pets into the shelter with their owners.
We act on the belief that men are our partners in dealing with and eradicating the problem of abuse and violence in our community. And we believe that children deserve to grow up experiencing and understanding healthy, respectful personal relationships.
In addition, we believe that the majority of people in Durham agree with us. We could not do what we do without their support. Thank you to everyone who has helped us help our clients over the years.
One of our primary goals is to eliminate as many barriers as possible for individuals accessing our services, and to this end we are very proud to be one of the first programs in the province to bring pets into the shelter with their owners.
We act on the belief that men are our partners in dealing with and eradicating the problem of abuse and violence in our community. And we believe that children deserve to grow up experiencing and understanding healthy, respectful personal relationships.
In addition, we believe that the majority of people in Durham agree with us. We could not do what we do without their support. Thank you to everyone who has helped us help our clients over the years.
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New women entering
our shelter per month
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Mothers and children entering
our shelter per month
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Calls per month to the
crisis support line
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Are turned away due to shelter capacity
Why we do what we do
What Women Say About
Bethesda House
The violence and abuse I endured at the hands of my husband left me trapped and powerless. It took every ounce of courage I had to leave, but the moment I walked through the doors of Bethesda House, I knew my daughter and I were safe. I finally had hope. At Bethesda House, safety wasn't just a word, it was a promise they kept. The staff created a supportive environment that allowed us to heal and rebuild our lives. I was able to focus on my daughters well-bieng and my recovery, knowing that I would never be hurt again.
Bethesda House provided me with a way out from my trafficking situation. They helped me create a plan to leave and kept me safe when I was terrified for my life. I have suffered and found myself trapped and sexually exploited all over Durham Region. The staff helped me feel safe, and didn't judge me. They validated my experiences and gave me tools to re-build my self-esteem. They supported me with my nightmares and spent a lot of time with me when I couldn't sleep. I can't imagine where I would be without their support- thank you.
Bethesda House is more than a shelter, it is a home. I had to escape my family's home because they were abusing me and stealing my money, I went to Bethesda House. I felt safe for the first time in a long time. I was able to sleep, share my experience of being taken advantage of and hurt by my adult son, and learnt tools to move forward in my life. They helped me to relocate and I now live free and feel safe in my very own home.
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Bethesda House welcomes and encourages applications from, and provides equal student opportunities to, male and female students, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. Accommodation will be provided for students with disabilities upon request and if at all possible. Bethesda House is an LGBTQ positive space.