Philosophy

Vision

Communities that are free from intimate partner and family violence.

Mission

PATHS’ mission is to support and collaborate with member agencies and others to address, prevent, and ultimately to eliminate intimate partner and family violence.

Mandate

We support our membership and communities through: awareness; education; research; advocacy; revenue generation; and providing programs and services.

Values

The following are our values and ways that we demonstrate them:

Professionalism is demonstrated by our experience, transparency and open accountability and by maintaining confidentiality, being open to change and having a strong commitment to equality.

Equity is demonstrated in all our relationships, by being inclusive and acknowledging diversity and intersectional feminism that includes all cultures, genders, ages and beliefs.

Knowledge is demonstrated through our research, sharing of evidence-based practices, and participating in formal and informal communities of practice. We share our knowledge with our membership, partners, and communities.

Statement in Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action

In the spirit of reconciliation between Indigenous Canadians and non-Indigenous Canadians, and in recognition of the harms that have been caused to Indigenous people since colonization, we, the members of the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan, reaffirm our commitment to acknowledge the rights and obligations resulting from our national character as treaty people. We will support The Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, especially those that speak to services for victims of violence.

Knowledge Statements

• The right to live without violence is a basic human right.
• Women and people who are gender and sexually diverse are more likely to be victims of intimate partner violence.
• Violence exists because of power differentials, socio-economic systems, and patriarchal attitudes and is perpetuated by the society in which we live.  Violence is a societal problem, not a private matter.  It transcends all class, cultural and ethnic boundaries.  Therefore, all levels of government and society must share the responsibility to eliminate violence.
• The cycle of violence is inter-generational.  We support the need for services for all members of the family.  Children are traumatized by exposure to abusive environments.  Their witnessing and normalizing of violence perpetuates the cycle of abuse.  Their needs are specific and distinct from the needs of their parents.
• Victims of intimate partner violence have the right to be protected and society and government have a responsibility to ensure their protection by means of government programs, policies, legislation and funds.
• All individuals have a right to be free from harassment and violence from present and former partners.
• All individuals should have access to services, protection, and counselling within their own communities.
• All individuals have the right to the support and resources necessary to enable them to implement their decisions and take control of their lives.
• 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.