It’s estimated that one in four women will be the victim of domestic violence in her lifetime. Women who find themselves in abusive relationships can get help from organizations that offer services such as housing, counseling and legal support while they start to rebuild their lives.
Laurel House (laurel-house.org) is a Pennsylvania-based group that offers shelter to battered women and their children. In addition to emergency housing, Laurel House administers counseling programs for women and children, legal advocacy and a community education program. Transitional housing programs provide battered women and their children with a place to live while they work towards being self-sufficient.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ncadv.org) is a nonprofit group focused on raising awareness and advocating for the rights of women in abusive relationships. The coalition’s website has information for women on how to recognize early signs of abuse as well as how to get help if they are being abused. Visitors to the website can access fact sheets about domestic violence, as well as become members of the coalition. Programs sponsored by the coalition include one where visitors to the website can donate used cell phones that are given to women who are in abusive relationships.
Safe Horizon (safehorizon.org) serves victims of violence including those affected by domestic violence. The domestic violence services provided by Safe Horizon include shelters in the New York City area, an accountability program for men who have abused their partners, and legal assistance.
Based in Delaware, Child Inc. (childinc.com) provides several services to women and children impacted by domestic violence. These include a 24-hour crisis hotline where callers can get referrals to additional services; two shelters; a legal advocacy program and a counseling program. Counseling services are available for abused women and their children as well as for men who have abused their partners.