Programs & Services > Next Steps
Challenge.Learn.Change
Next Steps - Partner Assault Response Program
Reducing abuse and violence
in intimate
relationships
Next Steps is the name that Family Service Toronto uses for the Partner Assault Response (PAR) program. PAR is funded through the Ontario Victim Services Secretariat of the Ministry of the Attorney General
Each year Family Service Toronto (FST) helps hundreds of men learn alternatives to abusive behaviour. The Next Steps – PAR program operates as part of FST’s integrated Family Violence Centre. In conjunction with other FST programs, Next Steps works to reduce abuse and violence in intimate relationships, with a special emphasis on keeping women and children safe. Participants are encouraged and challenged to take responsibility for their actions and to change their behaviour. Our professional counsellors offer a supportive and confidential environment.
PAR objectives are:
- to enhance the safety for the partners of PAR participants;
- to deepen participants’ understanding of intimate interpersonal abuse and increase their accountability for their behaviour and its consequences;
- to help participants acquire the skills and knowledge needed to participate in equitable and non-violent relationships.
We also have a Partner Abuse Response group for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or queer offered through David Kelley Services.
To learn more about the Next Steps program read our Frequently Asked Questions page. The program is not currently open to voluntary referrals. You must be referred by the Domestic Violence Court or by your probation officer
Program details
We currently offer five English and one Tamil open-ended groups. Open-ended groups can be joined at anytime as long as the participant attends 16 weeks from the moment of registration.
The English groups run Monday morning (10a.m. - 12 p.m.), Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evening (6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.) and Saturday (9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. in Scarborough) .
The Tamil group runs Tuesday evenings 6:30 p.m. – 8:3:30 p.m..
We also offer a closed group in Farsi. Closed groups run three times a year for 16 weeks. The Farsi group runs Saturday mornings (9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in North York).
The men referred to our program are court-mandated and must acknowledge their role in the abuse as a requirement for entry into the program.
This program teaches the participants about types of abuse and taking responsibility for reducing violence.
We are accountable to women and partner contact is integral to the program.
PAR programs can be successful in helping men to stop using abusive behaviours towards their partners, girlfriends or wives. However, we know that change does not happen overnight. It takes commitment and willingness to risk change.
