Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling and Empowerment (PEACE) provides education and supportive counselling for children and youth ages 5-18 who have witnessed/experienced emotional, mental and/or physical abuse.

Our program offers children and youth a safe environment to share personal experiences and to learn healthy coping skills through one-on-one sessions or group sessions. Support is also provided to the non-offending parent/caregiver.

Domestic violence/abuse is any form of violence/abuse within an intimate relationship, (i.e., sexual; emotional; verbal; financial; psychological; physical; and threats), even after the relationship has ended.

Children and youth are all affected differently. Some factors include their age, duration and frequency of exposure, their safety and the safety of their family members.

You may notice behavioural or emotional challenges in your child such as: low tolerance for frustration; aggressive words or actions towards others; poor concentration; fear of making mistakes; sleep problems; headaches and stomach aches; withdrawal from peers or activities; poor school attendance or academic performance; difficulty focusing; etc. If your child experiences any of these or other behaviours of concern, he or she could benefit from the PEACE program.

The PEACE program in the Lower Similkameen is one of 87 such programs in British Columbia which are funded by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. PEACE is part of the Stopping the Violence initiative in the province. The name peace in The PEACE Program is an acronym for Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling and Empowerment. It is funded by The BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

PEACE helps Children and Youth:

• better understand their feelings and how to express them in a safe and assertive manner
• learn the difference between anger and abusive behaviours
• improve their communication and problem-solving skills
• understand healthy and unhealthy relationships
• recognize safe and unsafe situations; and support them in developing their own safety plans
• strengthen and increase their self-esteem
• adjust to family separation due to intimate partner violence
• that may be witnessing domestic violence after the separation of their parents, or experiencing dating violence
• understand how domestic violence has affected them, and offer a safe place for them to share their feelings and experiences
  
  

For children aged 3 to 4 years old, we work predominantly with the parent/caregiver.

PEACE Program Counsellor, Dave Cursons, a retired Family Justice Counsellor, came aboard with Lower Similkameen Community Services in 2005 as a part-time counsellor in the PEACE Program. Dave is knowledgeable and experienced in issues around family conflict and provides support and encouragement in one-to-one counselling to children and youth 3 years to 18 years of age. Dave is attentive, understanding, and respectful to children. He is also very responsive to their adult caregivers when family difficulties arise.

Dave is aware of the legal concerns that affect parents and children when their home becomes unsafe or when any legal measures have come into play.

PEACE Program Counsellor, Signe Percevault, has been working with LSCSS since 2019 as counsellor and mental health program coordinator. After years of working with families, children, and youth in school and transition house settings, Signe is experienced in supporting families and individuals in navigating relationships and family dynamics. Signe earned a BA in Psychology from Simon Fraser University and a Certified Art Therapist accreditation from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute, has trained in a variety of modalities including Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Image Transformation Therapy, Art Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and uses a variety of interactive and engaging methods and tools to connect with children and youth.

Alongside PEACE counselling, Signe and Dave also deliver Violence is Preventable interactive presentations with youth at the Similkameen Elementary Secondary School, inviting discussion and participation in a candid and non-judgemental climate. 

The Violence is Preventable Program

Violence is Preventable (VIP) is a free, confidential, school-based violence prevention program for students in grades K-12. VIP presentations are delivered by Prevention, Advocacy, Counselling and Empowerment (PEACE) Program counsellors.

This program is developed by the BC Society of Transition Houses and provides us the support and direction needed to deliver psycho-educational content to groups on matters like bullying, interpersonal violence, dating violence, racism, and responses to depictions of violence in media.