Domestic Violence Services
Domestic violence is emotional, verbal, or physical abuse within significant/intimate relationships. It can occur in
relationships where the parties involved are living or not living together; married, divorced, separated, or dating; have
children or don't have children; are heterosexual or homosexual; are adults, children, elderly or disabled.
Domestic violence happens in all types of homes to all kinds of people, regardless of age, race, education, or economic
status. The truth is, domestic violence can happen to anyone.
Read a letter from a client
Read a news article about this client's story
You Have the Right…
- To ask for what you want.
- To say no to requests or demands you cannot meet.
- To express your feelings, positive or negative.
- To change your mind.
- To make mistakes and to not have to be perfect.
- To determine your own priorities.
- To not be responsible for others' behavior, actions, feelings or problems.
- To expect honesty from others.
- To be angry at someone you love.
- To feel scared and say, "I'm afraid".
- To not have to give reasons for your behavior.
- To your own need for personal time.
- To be in a non-abusive environment.
- To make friends and be comfortable around people.
- Create a safety plan specific to your situation.
- Break your isolation and reach out to family, friends, service agencies, and others.
- Talk about safety with your children.
- Think about what documents you may need if you leave.
- Leave extra clothes, money and keys with someone you can trust outside of the home in case you need to leave quickly.
- Keep copies of important documents in a place that can be accessed quickly and safely.
- Open a savings account to increase your independence.
- Keep some money with you at all times.
- Arrange where you can stay if you need to leave quickly.
- Determine other things that you can do to increase your safety.
- Contact The Women's Center's 24-hour crisis line at 262-542-3828 or 888-542-3828.
