City agencies get $2.1M for domestic abuse programs

Two agencies in Calgary will share more than $2 million in provincial funding to fight domestic abuse, officials announced on Wednesday.

The Kerby Centre is getting $1.4 million to create a team to help victims of elder abuse, while the YWCA of Calgary receives $750,000 to counsel families with custody issues who also show a risk for violence, .

"The money will be to work with the parents individually to help them understand what that conflict does in terms of children. And to work directly with the children to help them with conflict and how to resolve the issues and how to come out of it," said YWCA CEO Sue Tomney. 

The project at the Kerby Centre will be a partnership among Calgary Family Services, Calgary Police Service, CONNECT Family and Sexual Abuse Network, the province said in a release.

Police Chief Rick Hanson said Calgary police responded to 109 cases of elder abuse in the past two years.

But the problem is likely more widespread, given that many victims are unable or unwilling to report it.

"It is of crucial importance in developing the new response model for elder abuse in Calgary. With our partners the Calgary Police Service and Calgary Family Services, we will be able to ensure seniors involved in family violence have someone to turn to and a safe place to come to," said Hank Heerema, president of the Kerby Centre's board of directors.