Domestic violence is alarmingly widespread in North America and has serious negative effects on all family members. For victims, battering has potentially life threatening physical consequences as well as longterm social, psychological and emotional impacts. Child witnesses of violence suffer immediate harmful emotional and behavioral effects and frequently go on to be perpetrators of violence in their own relationships. Without professional intervention, perpetrators are extremely unlikely to stop their abusive behavior. Typically, the frequency and severity of violent outbursts escalate, as do the harmful consequences for all involved. The cycle is only broken if the abused individual leaves the the reIationship, the perpetrator receives professional treatment to end the violence, or the victim is killed.

For two decades, Discovery House has been a critical link among the agencies offering a continuum of services to Calgarians affected by domestic violence. When we opened our doors in 1980, Discovery House was one of the first facilities of its kind in Canada. We offered secure housing for women who, while out of the immediate crisis stage of leaving an abusive partner, required transitional accomodation and support during their search for stable living and employment situations. Over the years we have been responsive to community demand; our services have expanded to incorporate a 24 hour per day/365 days per year domestic violence hotline, community-based counselling including individual and group intervention for victims and child witnesses of abuse and for male perpetrators of violence, and preventive work in the community. Discovery House staff are professionally credentialed and their work is assisted by over 200 committed and talented volunteers. Among agencies offering services to individuals affected by family violence in Calgary. Discovery House is unique in its comprehensive, family-based approach.

In the last year, the vaious programs of Discovery House have served over 1,000 individuals. Discovery House clients acquire knowIedge about domestic viojence and receive help to develop the skills necessary to ensure family safety. Aa a result of participation in Discovery House programs, clients have enhanced ability to make healthy choices for themselves and their families.

Discovery House is a non-profit society funded primarily by the City of Calgary, Province of Alberta, and the United Way. Our strategic partners include the Wild Rose Foundation, Calgary Herald, Lite '96, and Co-Operators Insurance Company. while thankful for the generous support of these sponsors, Discovery House needs to raise $245,000 to maintain our current level of services this year. In addition, we have recently initiated a joint project with Hillhurst Counselling Center to provide much needed individual and group intervention for the male partners of our female clients. The response to this Generations Program has been exceptional and we require an additional $50,000 to meet the need.