Domestic violence support group starting Feb 3 in North Battleford. (Image Credit: ID 144304096 © Bialasiewicz | Dreamstime.com)

By Alyssa Rudolph

CONFIDENTIAL AND SAFE

‘You’re not alone’: weekly domestic violence support group opens for women in the Battlefords

Jan 26, 2026 | 3:08 PM

North Battlefords’ Anchor and Thread Community Services organization is providing a confidential and safe space for women who have experienced domestic violence.  

The Healing After Harm group will occur every Tuesday, starting Feb. 3, at the North Battleford Library.  

Executive Director of Anchor and Thread Community Services, Amber Stewart, said many topics will be discussed during the support group, including domestic violence impacts and the cycles of abuse. 

“With a group like this, it’s really victim focused, and so the women that come to the group will sort of guide those conversations with their own sharing and their own experience,” Stewart said. “Then our facilitators will take the lesson of that week and build that into what the women are sharing.” 

Stewart shared that many women in the community expressed the need for support, that’s what began the process of creating Healing After Harm. 

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“We had clients that were attending our office that were saying that they just felt isolated and alone, and they didn’t know anywhere to go to talk with other women. We’ve also had clients that are new to the community because they have fled domestic violence,” she said.  

To ensure service can be provided to anyone in need, participants can access childcare and transportation free of charge through the organization.  

“The library is giving us a space for those children and letting us access their resources, games, crafts, books, to do things with those children and keep them engaged while their mom is in the group,” Stewart said.  

Stewart added that sometimes the hardest part of attending a support group is walking through the door; feeling nervous is completely normal. 

“There is a lot of shame and blame and guilt that goes along with domestic violence, and we just want to let women know this is a safe space. There is no judgment. We just want you to have somewhere you can come and share your story, and most importantly, know that what you experienced, it was not your fault,” she said. 

The Anchor and Thread Community Services is currently looking for volunteers to help with childcare during the support group hours. To register for the group or become a volunteer, contact the organization.  

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com