‘TIL DEATH do.us part takes on a grim new meaning for the many women and children in crisis who pass through the doors of Emily Murphy House, the North Shore’s transition house for victims of domestic violence. They ceme to Emily Murphy House from all walks of life and age groups.’ But they all have one thing in common. They are physi- cally and psychologically brutaliz- ed by men they have loved and liv- ed with. “They all have a violent partner whe insists on controlling through angcer,”’ said Emily Murphy House executive director Valerie Atyeo. By MICHAEL BECKER ws Reporter Consevvative estimates by the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status cf Women tag the number of women battered by their hus- bands across Canada at approx- imatcly one million each year. According to Atyeo, approx- imately 250 women and children Photo submitted . WOMEN AND children escaping from violent domestic situations seek 4, fefuge, support and counselling at North Vancouver’s Emily Murpliy House. Carson Granam Handsworth . WVSS Sentinel Seycove Windsor Hillside Sutherland Tues., Jan. 19 Mon., Jan. 18 Mon., Feb. 8 Mon., Feb. 8 Tues., Feb. 9 Tues., Feb. 9 Wed., Feb. 24 Thur., Feb. 25 make use of the local emergency service every year. But she said, ‘‘Since the doors have opened in 1979, we've turned away over 2,000 women and children because of lack of space. That cither means that they go back to the violence or we try to find an alternative." The North Shore Crisis Services Socicty (NSCSS) operates the tran- sition house, which first opened its doors in 1979. The hause serves an area stret- ching from North Vancouver to as far as Pemberton. The facility is funded for 10 beds, with money coming from the provincial government's Ministry of Social Services and Housing, municipal grants and private dona- tions collected through fund rais- ing. Said Atyco, ‘We rely heavily on individual donations because we are forced to because of the inade- quacy of the other sources."* Because the NSCSS is an af- filiate of the United Way, a dona- tion to the campaign allows con- tributions (o go to the society as a designated recipient to help offset the costs of operating the shelter. Women ard children coming to Emily Murph; House have the ap- tion of staying at the shelter for up to 30 days. Atyeo said the main function of the facility is to present choices and options for women. “We educuic, counsel, and most of all, we listen and act as a sup- port network,”* sive said. A key link in the NSCSS support network, a conlidential telephone outreach counselling service is used by approximately 500 women every year, The society also provides a 12- week support group which meets regularly at the North Shore Fami- ly Services. The group includes women who are thinking about leaving a violent situation and women who have already made the tough decision. More often than not, the deci- sion to leave on abusive situation does not hinge on a black aad white case of ‘good woman versus Training Courses For registration and starting dates: Room 209 at 3:15 Room 219 at 3:20 Room 116 at 3:15 Room 300 at 3:00° Room 331 at 3:10 Room 211 at 3:00 Room 301 at 3:10 Room 304 at 3:15 Conducted by North Shore Driving Schoot Ltd. in cooperation with the North & West Van School Boards For further information call 988-1138 Leader in High School Driver Training since 1961 49 - Sunday, January 17, 1988 - North Shore News British travel featured PAGE 53 bad man.* The decision is com- plicated by considerations of the societal ethos ‘' "til death do us part'’, financial considerations, tcligious taboos, social status and the looming threat of becoming a single parent on welfare. Atyco said the NSCSS will be focusing on the plight of children from violent homes this year. “Psychologists admit violence is a learned behavior. That means we can prevent it by cducation.** The North Shore Coordinating WINDOW RERINGS Committee on Wife Assault, in- cluding representation from local Crown counsel, North Vancouver RCMP, West Vancouver Police, local educators and psychologists, Lions Gate Hospital, NSCSS, and North Shore Family Services, is “Since the doors have opened in 1979, we've turned away over 2,000 women and children because of fack of space. That either means they zo back fo the violence or we try to find an alternative.’”’ Emily Murphy House executive director Valerie Atyeo lobbying for the inclusion of the issue of domestic violence as fart of public school curriculum from kindergarten to Grade 12. The proposal will be made before a Royal Commission on Education appearing in Vancouver in March.