Help Fight Domestic Violence

Presented by Dee Lynn From Abuse to Empowerment PROVIDING SUPPORT AND RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

 Domestic Violence is any kind of behavior that a person uses to control an intimate partner through fear and intimidation.  It includes physical, sexual, psychological, verbal and economic abuse.  Examples include battering, name calling and insults, threats to kill or harm one’s partner or children, marital rape, or forced abortion. An Overview of Domestic Violence

WHY MEN BATTER  Men who abuse generally share some common characteristics. They tend to be jealous, possessive and easily angered.  They hold a view of women as being inferior.  Many use or have used alcohol and drugs WHY WOMEN STAY  Fear: For themselves, for their children, fear that they cannot support themselves.  Hope: They hold hope he’ll change or they can change him through love. An Overview of Domestic Violence

“In the beginning, I was young…he was handsome. He said I was beautiful, smart, worthy of love… he made me feel that way. And so we were married, walking joyfully together down a church aisle, our union blessed by God. Then came the angry words…the verbal tearing apart… Now I was made to feel ugly, unintelligent, unworthy of any love, God’s or man’s.”

“Next came the beatings… unrelenting violence.. unceasing pain. I shouldn’t stay, but this is my husband…promised forever. He says I deserve it… maybe I do… if I could just be good. I feel so alone… doesn’t God hear me ?”

“Finally came the release, the realization. Its not me, it’s him... I am worthy of love, God’s and man’s”

WISHMission Advocacy Advocacy Judicial System Education Education Signs of Abuse Evaluation Program Apprentice Program Youth Life skills Program InmateProgram Information Resources Intervention Community Resource Partners Attorneys Doctors/Hospitals Insurance Companies MortgageCompanies Bankers Employers Job Training Prevention Schools Correction Facilities Workshops Public Education Referrals Community Partners Organizational Chart – WISH – “When In Search of Hope”

WISH MISSION STATEMENT  Advocating for victims of domestic violence as well as abused & at-risk youth. We are their courage when they have none, their friend when lost and alone, and their hope to a new life. By providing advocacy, education, evaluation, intervention, prevention, referrals and information resources, WISH will help free victims of domestic violence.  WISH seeks to provide individuals with one-on-one guidance and support while determining their specific needs. WISH serves as a means to provide hope and guidance to the victims. With the support of our Community Partners, WISH connects victims to the resources they need to begin a new life.

 With the collaborative resources of WISH, we are able to tap into various community resources. This community collaboration consists of citizens, community leaders, corporations, public entities, and community agencies united to ensure individuals (“When In Search of Hope” - WISH), have the necessary choices and resources to get to the final solution of their problem. “From Abuse to Empowerment.”  These entities participate in the capacity of Community Resource Partners for the organization and provide services in- kind to the victims. Other resources are acquired as needed. We are not a duplication of services from other non-profits. WISH addresses the root of the problem; to end the cycle of abuse. WISH COMMUNITY RESOURCE PARTNERS

 Friendship  One-on-one guidance  Danger Assessment  Safety Plan Development  Resources and Information  Evaluation Program – individualized plan  Apprentice Program – future employment opportunities  Youth Program – Life Skills Program (bully/respect) geared towards youth, to end the cycle of abuse  Inmate program – Geared towards the perpetrator – to end actions of abuse  Speakers Bureau – We are available to speak at various events, organizations and meetings  Workshops/Support Groups/Women’s Volunteer Auxiliary  Collaboration of Community Partners providing in-kind services WISH OFFERS:

EVALUATION INTERVENTION ADVOCACY EDUCATION PREVENTION FRIENDSHIP WISH CYCLE OF EMPOWERMENT

 Evaluation/Danger Assessment - A "standardized safety assessment" means that all victims identified as being in an active abusive relationship are asked a series of routine questions regarding their personal safety. All victims are asked the same series of questions.  Apprentice Program - Local companies participate as Community Partners. In this role, they provide training to the victims and later give them employment opportunities. We are trying to empower the victims with choices and financial stability. This in turn will give them the confidence to control their own life and to have the power to leave their situation. WISH PROGRAMS:

 Youth Program - Bullying and Respect are only a few of the programs we have developed to teach abused and at-risk youth life skills in the hopes of preventing and ending the cycle of abuse. Our curriculum includes activities such as role playing along with other life skill tools designed to teach youth how to respectfully understand and treat each other. We are trying to provide intervention with this program. When youth, who might be in a home situation of domestic violence see that the situation that they are in is NOT normal, WISH hopes to break the cycle of abuse from perpetuating. It is our firm belief that attention must be devoted to primary and secondary prevention, particularly with children and young adults. If not, we feel domestic violence will continue to be more of an issue in our community in the years to come. WISH PROGRAMS:

 Inmate Program - Our program experience in sharing a women’s true story and journey through domestic violence (with inmates within the correctional/judicial system), has proven to be successful in educating perpetrators of domestic violence. Our program includes the following topics: Our program includes the following topics: Defining domestic violence Defining domestic violence Myths about battering Myths about battering The cycle of violence The cycle of violence The effects of domestic violence on children The effects of domestic violence on children Characteristics of a healthy vs. unhealthy relationships Characteristics of a healthy vs. unhealthy relationships  Our ultimate objective is to assist inmates in developing a strategy towards making a positive change in their life. We want inmates to understand how their actions have affected the victims of domestic violence. We hope to help them in taking the steps to stop and prevent the cycle of abuse.  Other forms of prevention will come from speaking within the community (service organizations, youth groups, women’s groups, medical organizations, etc. and educating the community as a whole. WISH PROGRAMS:

 Friendship - The most important goal of the program is to provide friendship, someone who has been there who can share their pain, give them hope and provide information and resources to help them get their life back. To let them know someone cares and they are not alone.  One-on-one Guidance – An in-depth process, where we work with the victims to determine individual resources and needs.  Danger Assessment - A "standardized safety assessment" means that all victims identified as being in an active abusive relationship are asked a series of routine questions regarding their personal safety. All victims are asked the same series of questions.  Danger Assessment - A "standardized safety assessment" means that all victims identified as being in an active abusive relationship are asked a series of routine questions regarding their personal safety. All victims are asked the same series of questions. WISH SERVICES:

 Safety Plan Development – Once the Danger Assessment has been completed and the severity of situation is reviewed, a plan of action is determined. The Safety Plan helps to guide them in a positive direction to the appropriate resources that can help to ensure that they have hope, faith and belief in a new tomorrow with enhanced possibilities.  Resources and Information - Various resources and information are available to help educate the victims on many levels. Educating them on the actuality that what they are enduring is ABUSE.Educating them on the actuality that what they are enduring is ABUSE. Educating them on the various signs of abuse.Educating them on the various signs of abuse. What they can do to get help.What they can do to get help. The steps necessary to create a safety plan for them.The steps necessary to create a safety plan for them. How to actualize the plan and put it into motion.How to actualize the plan and put it into motion. Educating them on the tools/resources that they will need to have in place before they leave their situation.Educating them on the tools/resources that they will need to have in place before they leave their situation. Educating them on the various resources that are available to help empower them on this journey.Educating them on the various resources that are available to help empower them on this journey. WISH SERVICES:

 Community Education – is provided through information resources, workshops, seminars and literature. We will expand community education regarding Domestic Violence via media; print, radio and TV and billboards. The WISH website is available as well.  Youth and Family Education – Educating both youth and the family are essential in ending the issue of domestic violence within the community in the years to come.  In conjunction with our youth program, we acknowledge the importance of involving the parents. WISH COMMUNITY OUTREACH:

 Educational Institutions - Local colleges will be involved through outreach programs in support of WISH by supplying apprentices for office staff, marketing and food for events.  Educational Training – Colleges are contacted to furnish educational/training opportunities for the victims.  Therapy – Referral to local domestic violence organizations who have therapy consultation services. WISH RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

 Referral Services - For those services that WISH does not provide we will refer victims to the necessary agencies.  Community Collaborations – WISH avails itself of community collaborations/partnerships when providing services to victims of domestic violence. As previously stated, we will invite various community partners to join us in our effort to gain resources for the victims. WISH RESOURCES AND INFORMATION WISH RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

 Become a WISH Corporate Sponsor  Become a WISH Corporate Partner  Become a WISH Community Resource Partner  Become a WISH Donor  Become a WISH Volunteer  Become a part of the WISH SOLUTION WISH HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT WISH

YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO HELP THEM IT’S YOUR CHOICE ALL IT TAKES IS A CARING HEART WON’T YOU BE THAT PERSON? Free At Last

“PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE” All of us need to and can be part of the solution. If you see abuse, it is your responsibility to report it. To become a sponsor, community partner or volunteer Contact: Dee Lynn WISH - When In Search of Hope Phone: P.O. Box 49552, Charlotte, NC WISH When in Search of Hope