The Lethbridge Police Service has teamed up with a national initiative to help break cycles of intimate partner violence.
Men& provides free support and resources for men, who may sometimes struggle with asking for help when involved in abusive situations, across Canada.
The partnership with the LPS has equipped officers with referral materials that can help connect people with services that support healthier relationships, create opportunities for intervention, and reduce the risk for future violence.
The LPS said the partnership is timely, with November being Family Violence Prevention Month. The team-up builds on work that is already underway within the LPS Domestic Crimes Unit. The LPS said the initiative has now been expanded throughout the whole service, with all frontline officers having completed training and being equipped with necessary materials.
“As police, we often encounter individuals during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. While enforcement remains an important part of our response, prevention and early intervention are also critical to improving community safety,” said LPS Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh. “This partnership provides another tool for officers to connect individuals with meaningful supports that can help address underlying issues, promote accountability and reduce the likelihood of future violence.”
Dr. Jeff St. John, founder of the Forge Centre for Dignity-Driven Leadership said that preventing domestic violence and abuse begins with creating opportunities for change.
“By connecting men with support and resources early, we can help them recognize harmful behaviours, take accountability for their actions and build healthier relationships,” said St. John. “We’re proud to partner with Lethbridge Police to make these supports more accessible and work together to prevent violence before it happens and create safer, healthier communities.”
Men& is a joint project between FearIsNotLove and Forge Social Health. It offers free access to information, self-guided tools and support services for men needing help with relationship challenges, anger management concerns, and other life stressors, transitions and personal growth. The service also offers a 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week helpline.
Through the partnership with the local policing service, officers will be able to provide resource materials during both criminal and non-criminal intimate partner violence investigations. Further details are available on the Men& website.
