Who We Are

PATHS is a non-profit organization formed in 1984. Our membership is comprised of Transition and Interval Houses, Temporary Emergency Shelters, and Second Stage Housing that provides services to abused women and their children. Current Members include:

Vision

A society free from violence against women and their children.

Mission

The mission of PATHS is to provide integrated, collaborative support for PATHS members who work with individuals directly or indirectly exposed to violence, and to provide research, program development, public awareness and education on personal and family violence in Saskatchewan.

Philosophy

• Women have the right to live in a non-violent society.  The right to live without violence is a basic human right.
• We believe that violence exists because of power differentials, socio-economic systems, and patriarchal attitudes and is perpetuated by the society in which we live.  Violence against women is a societal problem, not a private mater.  It transcends all class, cultural and ethnic boundaries.  Therefore, all levels of government and society must share the responsibility to eliminate violence against women.
• We believe that the cycle of violence is inter-generational.  We support the need for services for all members of the family.  Children's lives are traumatized by exposure to abusive enviornments.  Their witnessing and normalizing of violence perpetuates the cycle of abuse.  Their needs are specific and distinct from the needs of their parents.
• We believe that victims of domestic violence have a right to be protected and that society and government have a responsibility to ensure their protection by means of government programs, policies, legislation and funds.
• We believe that laws must recognize the seriousness of violence against women.
• We believe that women have a right to be free from harassment and violence from present and former partners.
• We believe that women and their children should have access to services, protection, and counselling within their own coummunities.
• We believe that government has the primary responsibility for the adequate funding of services.
• We believe that a woman has the right to the support and resources necessary to enable her to implement her decisions and take control of her life.
• We believe that education is a necessary means of prevention.  We support research and education directed towards the public including professionals, community groups, and government.  We will work towards increasing PATHS members' own skills and knowledge.

Objectives and Goals

PATHS shall be structured to work towards achieving the following:

• a communication and support network for Shelters;
• development of collective strategies to assist Shelters in improving services and working on related issues;
• support and education to existing Shelters;
• public and professional education on issues of violence against women.

© Copyright 2004 PATHS - Regina, Saskatchewan CANADA,
All rights reserved