Harman Patil (Editor)

The Gatehouse

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Location
  
Toronto, Canada

The Gatehouse

Headquarters
  
3101 Lake Shore Blvd West

The Gatehouse is a registered charity that operates in Toronto, Canada treating the survivors of child abuse. The headquarters for the charity was the doctor's house for the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital, built in the 1890s. It was abandoned for over 30 years and restored for use by the charity. A renovation valued at over $300,000 was completed for under $30,000 because of the support given by the community. The vision of The Gatehouse and the restoration of the house was the creation of Arthur Raymond Lockhart who had the idea to reach out to survivors of child abuse within the community. His vision is to give survivors a place to tell their stories, to give them back their voices, to heal their wounds and to inspire them to see their own potential.

Contents

Fundraising initiatives raise money for programs that provide support to the Adult Support Network and the Investigation Support Program. The Gatehouse is supported by hundreds of volunteers all dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by childhood abuse. The Gatehouse is not core funded by any agency or organization.

Programs

The Gatehouse offers two main programs for abuse survivors: The Gatehouse Adult Support Network (GASN) and The Gatehouse Investigation Support Program (GISP).

The Gatehouse Adult Support Program

Since 1998 The Gatehouse has offered support groups for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse through social reconnection, education and information. The 15 week peer led groups offer support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse in a safe and comfortable environment.

The 15 week groups discuss a topic each week and are led by two Gatehouse trained facilitators. Some of the topics that are discussed include

  • Triggers
  • Moving out of isolation into inclusion
  • Anger
  • Inner child
  • Re establishing healthy boundaries
  • Sexuality
  • Loss and grief
  • Addictions
  • Resiliency
  • Flashback and grounding techniques
  • GISP

    The Gatehouse is a child friendly neutral location where investigating police officers and child welfare workers can interview children/youth and their families during child abuse investigations.

  • The Gatehouse is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for investigations.
  • Testimony is recorded on audio and visual recording equipment.
  • The Gatehouse is available for additional and follow up meetings such as court preparation, case conference and additional interviews.
  • Investigations are booked through The Gatehouse on-line system.
  • The Child and Family Advocate offers support to families during the investigation process. The advocate can assist with referrals to community agencies, court preparation program in cases where charges are laid and provide information around the investigation process and answer any questions that the family may have.

    Awards and recognition

  • In October 2000, the City of Toronto Chief of Police, Julian Fantino, visited The Gatehouse in response to the organization's being names as a "Best Practice Site" for victim services in all of Ontario by the Ontario Attorney General's office
  • In March 2001, The Gatehouse was honoured with The Community Service Award at the Etobicoke Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards
  • In February 2001, Canadian magazine "Macleans" cited The Gatehouse in an article about a Supreme Court decision regarding child pornography
  • The Gatehouse was invited to present The Gatehouse model at the 2001 national conference of The National Organization for Victims Assistance (NOVA) in Edmonton, Alberta
  • The Gatehouse investigation model was presented to the International Association of Chiefs of Police
  • In March 2002, the City of Toronto Police Department noted The Gatehouse's staff's support in a press release about investigations held at The Gatehouse (Toronto Star article)
  • The Gatehouse has been invited to consult with agencies in Ontario interested in replicating The Gatehouse in their own communities
  • In June 2003, The Gatehouse was awarded the City of Toronto Mayor's Community Safety Award
  • In September 2003, The Gatehouse was awarded the Ruth Atkinson Hindmarsh Award
  • In December 2003, The Gatehouse was invited to participate in round table discussions hosted by The Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness
  • May 2007 was the first year of a fundraising event hosted by The Gatehouse called Mayday. It is yearly family fun day that raises both funds and awareness of The Gatehouse and has had appearances by Daniel Cook, SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora The Explorer and Diego.
  • In 2005–2009, Janet Handy, the former Executive Director of The Gatehouse (2001-2009), served as an Advisory Panel Member to Commissioner Justice G. Normand Glaude, of the Cornwall Inquiry. Ms. Handy acted as a facilitator to promote healing and reconciliation for Phase 2 of the Inquiry (located in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada). Ms. Handy agreed to return to serve as Senior Director, Strategic Planning and Programming for The Gatehouse and now serves as Executive Director for the Church Council on Justice and Corrections in Ottawa. CCJC is aligned with promoting Restorative Justice processes between victims and their offenders.
  • Mayday 2009, sponsored by Novascape Landscape by Design, Foresters, Enbridge, TD Canada Trust and Mattel, was attended by more than 5,000 people. Dora the Explorer, Diego, SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick, the Good Guys Carting Dogs, Sir Jerry and Mayhem's Finest Urbam Dance Team performed at Mayday 2009 on May 30, 2009.
  • In 2012 The Gatehouse was nominated for the Gem of the Lake Shore award
  • In 2012 our Volunteer Bruce McKay won the LAMP Community Service Award for outstanding commitment and dedication as a Volunteer of the Gatehouse program.
  • References

    The Gatehouse Wikipedia