Abstract The paper examines the Abrigo Centre for Victims of Family Violence, Dufferin Street, Toronto. This is part of Family Services for the Portuguese-speaking Canadians. Clients include those from Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique. The paper introduces the cultural forces that create domestic violence and examines the community based approaches to this issue. The paper looks at the origins of the centre, its funding, programming and the rationales behind it.
From the Paper "The Abrigo Centre was established after a 1987 Ministry of Community and Social Services-funded study conducted by the Portuguese Interagency Network, expressed the need for services supporting abused Portuguese-speaking women in Toronto. Early funding arrived from an Abrigo Centre Christmas Drive, federal Charitable Status, and in 1993, member agency status in the United Way. Partnerships with St. Mary's Secondary School, the Multilingual Access to Social Assistance Program, and collaborations with Chinese Family Life, COSTI, and the Family Service Association of Toronto."
