Domestic Violence: Behind Closed Doors
Copyright ©2006 Sure Woman.com/Dawn G. Prince

Finding Help and Services

W omen need to feel confident that there are places they can turn to for support that isn’t only an over-night or a band-aid solution once they leave an abusive relationship. A woman will leave an average of 7 times (WRAP), but she may end up returning because there is a lack of support outside of the relationship, or services aren’t available, or there aren’t enough women shelters to provide a safe haven. The amount spent on animal shelters is three times that of emergency shelters for abused women (WRAP).

If we expect women to leave these kinds of relationships, they need to know that there is help that will give them affordable housing, a plan of moving forward and protection from the batterer. They need to know that help is available in their community and getting that help won’t be wrought in red tape and inefficiencies. Statistics show that 50 percent of homeless women are fleeing abuse (WRAP).

Monica says that she hears the same complaints all the time from the women she meets. “There is over-crowding—and they need a safe place to go. Not enough shelters, or the shelters are full, or they do not take their sons if they are within a certain age range.”

In an attempt to rectify the short falls of current programs, on September 12, 2005, the Justice Department awarded 22 million dollars to 116 communities across the nation to support projects that move domestic violence victims and their children into permanent housing. The Transitional Housing Assistance Grant Program will provide assistance to women fleeing abusive situations and “for whom emergency shelter services or other crisis intervention services are unavailable or insufficient.”

“In order for a battered woman to feel safe, her basic survival needs must be met,” said Diane M. Stuart, Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVAW). “These needs include economic self-sufficiency and safe, affordable, and permanent housing. Without these necessities, there is a real danger that she will return to her partner.”

This follows another (OVAW) $20 million dollar program that focuses on centralized help for women in crisis. President Bush in 2003 announced the pilot project, The President’s Family Justice Center Initiative, which would open 15 Justice Centers nationwide to connect victims with services more quickly and efficiently. The intent is to bring together under one-roof professionals and services usually scattered about the community to better serve victims of domestic violence and their children.

“Whether it’s obtaining a protection order, talking to an advocate, or meeting with a prosecutor,” said Diane M. Stuart, “these centers will enable victims to get the assistance they need to put their lives and their children’s lives back on track.”

The first Justice Center opened July 2005 in Brooklyn, New York followed by two in California this past summer, and 12 more will be opened across the country.

Women should look in their phone books for local assistance or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or turn to a trusting friend or family member for help. There are websites like The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence www.ncadv.org that outline a safety plan as well as provide essential information for getting help and getting out.

Room For Improvement

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National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-7223(SAFE)