And normally I post on Wednesday, however, I will be out of town this week, so doing in advance.
Lesson 4 of 11 Series. How You Can Help Victims of Domestic Abuse
In order to work towards success in dealing with domestic violence is if society, as a whole, and individuals themselves, are willing to “face the harsh realities of domestic abuse and take the steps necessary to get the help necessary for both the victims and the abusers.” One of the biggest ways you, and society can support, is by providing victims with necessary “resources, and of course, providing individual support.”
Sadly, most victims are not aware of resources which may possibly be right in their back door ! However, some areas, there are no resources are available. And some organizations only “provide aid and support for any victim … only for women … or particular minority groups.”
A great place is providing support is in “volunteer your time, money or expertise
in order to help others who have suffered from domestic abuse or you are in need of assistance yourself.”
All the below resources provided by Michelle Money.
*BE AWARE: If you provide this information to an abuse victim or are a victim yourself, please be aware that visiting these sites on a personal computer has certain risks unless you clear your browser's history. If your abuser has access to your computer, be sure to completely clear your computer's browser history every time to prevent him or her from seeing that you have visited the following sites.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE
800-787-3224 (TDD)The Hotline is staffed 24 hours a day by trained counselors who can provide crisis assistance. The Hotline also has information about shelters, legal advocacy, health care centers, and counseling available in all 50 states. You can also visit
www.ndvh.org or write to them at:National Domestic Violence Hotline
PO Box 161810
Austin, TX78716
The National Battered Women's Law Project addresses legal issues surrounding domestic violence.
For more information, contact the project directors at: National Battered Women's Law Project
275 7th Avenue, Suite 1206
New York, NY10001
Phone: 212-741-9480
FAX: 212-741-6438
The National Network to End Domestic Violence focuses on social change, endeavoring to create a social, political and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists
. They offer housing, leadership programs, education and safety and outreach programs across the country. For more information, go to: www.nnedv.org or contact them at:The National Network to End Domestic Violence
660 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Suite 303
Washington, DC20003
Phone: 202-543-5566
FAX: 202-543-5626
Stop Abuse for Everyone (SAFE) is a human rights group that specializes in help for the atypical abuse victim – those who don't usually come to mind when people think of domestic abuse victims. This includes straight men, homosexuals, the elderly and teenagers. The National Crime Prevention Council recently voted SAFE one of the most promising programs in the fight against domestic violence. Visit their site for an extensive list of national, international and local resources, educational materials and hotlines based on specific needs. This site has a wealth of training materials and information as well as forums and mailing lists. For more information and to take advantage of their resource links, visit SAFE at
www.safe4all.org.
Maitri – www.maitri.orgThis is a non-profit specializing in helping South Asian women victims of abuse. Languages spoken include: Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Marathi, Marwari, Oriya, Punjabi, Sindhi, Sinhalese, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Maitri234 East Gish Road #200
San Jose, CA95112
Phone: (408) 436-8393
Toll-free Hotline: 1- 888-8-MAITRI
The National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence promotes education, assistance and solutions for ending domestic violence in the Latino community. www.dvalianza.comThe National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence
P.O. Box 672, Triborough Station
New York, NY10035
Phone: (646) 672-1404
Toll-free: 1-800-342-9908
The Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community focuses on the unique circumstances of the African American family as it faces partner violence, child abuse, elder maltreatment and community violence.www.dvinstitute.orgThe Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American CommunityUniversity of MinnesotaSchool of Social Work
290 Peters Hall
1404 Gortner Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
1-877-643-8222
Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project – for men who are in abusive homosexual relationships. The organization provides crisis counseling, legal services, safety planning, emergency shelter, housing advocacy and educational services for men who are in abusive same-sex relationships.www.gmdvp.orgGay Men's Domestic Violence Project
PMB 131
955 Mass Ave.
Cambridge, MA02139
Phone: 617-354-6056
Crisis Hotline: 800-832-1901
Apna Ghar – This is a domestic violence shelter that serves predominantly Asian women and children in the mid-west. It also provides translation and support for non-resident victims of abuse, including legal aid and professional training. www.aphaghar.org Apna Ghar4753 North Broadway, Suite 518
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 334-0173
Crisis Hotline: (773) 334-4663
The Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence provides legal assistance to Asian families facing domestic violence issues, including a variety of legal forms, contact information and shelter projects.
www.atask.org Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
P.O. Box 120108
Boston, MA02112
Phone: (617) 338-2350
Hotline: (617) 338-2355
See more state information here, Women's Rural Advocacy Program's website at
http://www.letswrap.com/usadv/, you'll find a map of the United States. Simply click on your state and another window will open with the names and information on various state domestic violence programs, including additional links.
Getting the Word Out: Is the next most important contribution that you can offer your community !
| Michele suggests: · Ask your boss if you can post some brief information about domestic violence on the lunchroom bulletin board. · Put it in an email and send it to everyone in your address book with a quick note saying, "This is important information. You may not need it, but perhaps someone you know might need it, or someone they love may need it. Everyone knows someone who is abused. Don't let this information stop with you. Perhaps today you will save a life without even knowing it. Please pass this on." You send jokes every day, why not this? · Put the information on a flyer and post it on a community bulletin board at your local library · If you work anywhere that people congregate, whether it is a coffee shop, clothing store or insurance office, find out who is in charge of the reading material in waiting rooms or on coffee tables. If there is no material from domestic abuse centers, volunteer to order brochures that can be left out for visitors. Most organizations will provide them free of charge. · If you belong to MySpace or another social networking group or have a Blog, write about domestic abuse and provide links to the organizations you mention. You never know who might take that all-important first step because of you! · If you have your own website, include a link to a domestic violence awareness website on your home page. · If you have been the victim of domestic abuse yourself, consider sharing your story with others. Contact a local shelter, domestic abuse counseling center or other service and tell them you would like to support others with your success story. Knowing that others have succeeded is the single most empowering motivator for victims. · Find out about a walk-a-thon or fundraiser in your area on behalf of domestic violence awareness then donate your time or money. It will raise money and awareness at the same time and you'll probably discover that you'll want to go back for more. Once you've worked with the people who are affected by domestic violence, you're changed forever. |
Provide Your support to victimes, which could include “intervention”:
“The do's and don'ts“:
Don't antagonize (the abuser).Be discreet, without the abuser around, in giving info to the victim.Take Notes: When a friend confesses to you that they are being abused.Contact the Authorities: If you witness physical abuse taking place, contact the authorities immediately. Be Prepared (especially if doing an Intervention). You may even have to help a victim during the middle of the night; often little warning ! Decide what you are comfortable providing in advance.Emotional Support (listen to them without becoming angry or judgmental; do not give negative message, like their abuser. Continue to begin with, "Are you okay?" Listen, then listen some more
Remind her that he/she is not alone (Emphasize that there are many, many organizations to help people in her situation and that you can help her get in touch with these groups. Tell him/her that it is NOT her fault
Be available and be honest (Be willing to meet her at her convenience to discuss her options if she is considering leaving her abuser. Review her options with her and what you can do to help her. Keep in mind the list you prepared of what you are willing to contribute to help her achieve her escape. Above all, be honest about what you can do or not do.Suggest she develop a safety plan (victims should try to put aside some money and a few changes of clothing as well as a set of keys and important documents in a safe place (with you, at work or with a relative or neighbor) in case she has to flee suddenly. Suggest that she talk to a doctor (Professional guidance can be a powerful influence).Offer her access to resources
Explain to her that domestic abuse is a crime
Remind her that she is valuable
. “
Please call if I may assist you (leave message: (434)473-7470). Coach Vivian M Webb, C.Ht, CPLC
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