St. Thomas, ON — Tuesday February 24th 2026
The St. Thomas Police Service has been awarded $341,400 through the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General’s Victim Support Grant Program, supporting enhanced early intervention efforts aimed at reducing intimate partner violence and strengthening victim safety within the community.
The funding will support Pathways to Change: Breaking the Cycle of Harm, a collaborative initiative delivered in partnership with Changing Ways, a community organization that provides specialized counselling and education for individuals seeking to end abusive behaviour and take responsibility for their actions.
Through this initiative, a dedicated High Risk Intimate Partner Violence Case Manager from Changing Ways will be embedded within the St. Thomas Police Service, working alongside officers, the justice system, and community partners to provide coordinated early intervention in cases involving elevated risk factors.
The program focuses on identifying risk early and connecting individuals to education, resources, and supports designed to prevent domestic violence incidents from recurring or escalating. This coordinated and trauma informed approach enhances victim safety while promoting accountability and behaviour change.
In addition to supporting victims, Changing Ways will work directly with accused persons by providing targeted interventions, counselling, and psychoeducational programming aimed at reducing recidivism, addressing underlying risk factors, and preventing future harm.
By strengthening early intervention strategies, and supporting both those impacted by violence and those responsible for it, the initiative aims to reduce repeat incidents of intimate partner violence and lessen the long term impact on victims, families, and the broader community.
The project reflects a continued commitment by the Ontario Government and the St. Thomas Police Service to work collaboratively with community partners to address complex social issues through prevention, coordination, and evidence based practices.
The Victim Support Grant Program supports police services and community organizations across Ontario in developing innovative approaches that improve outcomes for victims and enhance community safety.