Guide for Victims of Domestic Violence - Research Proposal Example

GUIDE FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Most people ask the question “Why doesn’t she just leave?” when they hear or are confronted with a victim of domestic abuse. The fact of the matter is that one simple act will not break the cycle of abuse. As a victim of abuse you may have considered leaving hundreds of times and whether it is fear, uncertainty or even love which keeps you from doing so it is important to know that leaving your abuser is not the only step you will need to take…although it is the most important one. The path to breaking the cycle of abuse may be hard but it does not have to be lonely. There are several shelters, therapists, social workers and simply people with good hearts who have dedicated their lives to help abused victims escape the cycle of abuse and to take back their lives and become self empowered. The city of St. Louis has a lot of options and help to offer people who are in abusive circumstances; but the responsibility to ask for help lies with you. This guide provides you with a list of private and government agencies who would happily offer you guidance and shelter if you are a victim of abuse as well as the steps you will need to take and what you can expect once you have asked for help. 1. Three steps that a victim of abuse needs to take: See how much danger you are in Honestly face how little power you have Get outside help for yourself…this is where this guide comes in. 2. Once you have taken the step to ask for help you will need to get away from your abuser. It is very important to remember that you alone will not be able to and should not: Think that you can change your abusive partner. Think that you can help your abusive partner Believe your partner when he promises to stop the abuse Stay with your partner because he is in counseling for the abuse Stay because you are worried about the consequences of you leaving. 3. Steps you will need to take in order to ensure your safety While you are still living with your abuser you will need to ensure that you have a safety plan which you can follow whenever you are in need of help or need to get out quickly. The following are important guidelines that need to form a part of your safety plan: Let a neighbor or close friend know about the abuse and establish a signal to let either the neighbor or friend know when you are in trouble. For example: Leaving a light on outside your house which is usually left off. Use pay phones rather than a land line, or purchase a cell phone which your abuser does not know about and keep this in safe hidden place. Keep weapons and knives locked away. If you have children let them know that violence is never ok and teach them how to get help. Always keep your car unlocked and make sure that the tank is full. Try to keep your personal documents and spare cash together in a location where it can easily be reached if you need to make a quick getaway. Have an emergency crisis number memorized and try to teach it to your children as well. After you have left: Change your locks and phone number. Get a restraining order If you have children make sure that the school and your children’s friends’ parents are aware of the situation. Use new stores, routes and restaurants- try not to make use of old habitual places. Do not give your phone number or addresses to anyone that you do knot know. Inform your work about your situation and give them a copy of the restraining order which has a photo of the abuser on it. 4. How can I get assistance? In order for an abused victim to get assistance they will need access to a phone- once you have the opportunity to make a phone call to an agency they will take care of you and your children. 5. Types of Victims assistance available in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area: Below I have listed three Private Agencies to give you an idea of how agencies are equipped and trained to help you: 5.1 Alive Alive is an agency which provides a safe shelter for women, children and men who fall victim to domestic abuse. The agency was founded in 1983 by two advocates for battered women. Alive has a very successful “nights of safety” program which provides emergency sanctuary to women and children when all other domestic shelter beds are full. Alive also provides the following services: . 24 hour crisis line . Transportation in emergencies . Individual and group counseling . A treatment program for children . Advocacy in court . Community education How will I receive assistance from Alive: The first step to take is to accept that you are in need of help whether you are facing sexual, physical, psychological or economical abuse. The second step will be to contact Alive at the given contact number and to speak to someone who is trained to help you. After asking for help, you have taken the first step to no longer being a victim of abuse. Alive phone number: St. Louis Crisis line: (314) 993-2777 5.2 Womens safe house The womens safe house was the first domestic violence center in St. Louis. The mission of this nonprofit organization is to provide safe shelter to women and children and to help battered women to become self empowered and to be able to make informed and educational decisions about their futures. What Woman’s safe house has to offer: . Safe shelter . Support groups . Children’s programming . 24- hour crisis hotline . Support advocacy . A variety of linkages to social and community services as well as community education. . Child/Parent outreach program when a women is ready to leave the shelter. How will I receive assistance from the women’s Safe House: When a woman calls the safe house crisis hotline arrangements will be made for the woman to be picked up at a safe location and to be driven to one of the safe house shelters. Once a woman is safely settled into the shelter, Safe house will provide meals, clothing, personal hygiene items as well as transportation mainly in the form of bus vouchers. Safe houses also assist battered women with help to move into a safe violence-free location after the women leaves the safe house. Adress: PO Box 63010 ST Louis. MO 63163-3010 Crisis hotline: (314) 772-4535 5.3 Lydia’s house Lydia’s house is an organization that provides transitional housing to survivors of domestic violence. The Lidia’s house website provides information on how to safely contact them as well as how to use computer safety when looking for help online. How will I receive assistance from Lydia’s house? If you are in danger call the emergency number at: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) – This number is the National Domestic Violence number and will connect you to resources in your area 24/7. Lydia’s house number: 314-771-4411 Email: info@lydiashouse.org 6. List of agencies that will be able to assist you in similar ways as mentioned above: St. Louis City Fortress Outreach--North City (314) 381-4422 Offers emergency shelter, counseling, food, clothing and housing assistance. St. Marthas Hall--Central City (314) 533-1313 Confidential hall for women and abused children. Group counseling, legal advocacy, Information, referral and follow- up. Womens Safe House--South City (314) 772-4535 Shelter for battered women and children. Legal advocacy, community education, housing referrals, programs for children, limited transportation and referrals to housing. St. Louis County Kathy J. Weinman Center (314) 423-1117 Housing and a wide range of support services. St. Charles County The Womens Center (636) 946-6854 (client must have own car) Crisis center Jefferson County A Safe Place-COMTREA (877) 266-8732 or (877) COMTREA Near Franklin County Russell House--Rolla (573) 364-0222 No males over age 18 Shelter Turning Point--Warrenton (636) 456-1186 or (888) 873-7233 Family Crisis services Robertson Center--Troy (636) 462-3355 Counseling services Illinois Oasis Womens Center--Alton (618) 465-1978 Violence Prevention Center Belleville or Granite City (618) 235-0892 or (800) 924-0096 No males over age 13 Provides support groups, legal services, counseling… Phoenix Crisis Center (618) 451-1008 or (618) 451-1118 Second Chance--East St. Louis (618) 482-5662 Sources used: 1. Alive agency: http://www.alivestl.org/index.html 2. The women’s safe house: http://www.twsh.org/about.html 3. The national domestic violence hotline: http://www.thehotline.org/get-help/safety-planning/ 4. Troubledwith: http://www.troubledwith.com/AbuseandAddiction 5. Domestic violence shelters: http://www.dss.mo.gov/dfas/taxcredit/pdf/dvshelters.pdf Read More