RSVP Online Newsletter April 1997

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program's services are free to the volunteers and organizations we serve.

RSVP home page to find out more about the benefits of being an RSVP volunteer, or how your non-profit organization can provide volunteer opportunities through RSVP, most anywhere in the United States.

Support Center
Against
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault:

"Exploring with you the choices you can take.
Supporting you in the decisions you make."

How We Help:

Know the Types of Abuse:

• Domestic Violence is abuse within a family or intimate relationship. A batterer uses various forms of abuse to maintain power and control over another human being.
• Physical abuse includes actions like punching, slapping, hitting, kicking, breaking bones, denying sleep, nutrition or medical care.
• Emotional abuse includes calling names, making threats of physical/sexual abuse, denial of your feelings and abilities, blaming you for the violence. Watching your every move. Isolating you from family and friends.
• Sexual assault is forced, coerced or manipulated sexual acts you did not give consent to. It is a violent crime not a sexual one. Assailants use sex to humiliate and to inflict violence on victims, or to exert power and control over them.

It is never your fault.

The effects of sexual assault or abuse will not go away. There are many issues survivors will face - confusion, shame, fear, guilt and anger. Many will try to forget this devastating experience. Support and/or counseling for sexual assault survivors can help towards recovery.

We Provide: Free and Confidential

• 24-Hour Help Line answered by trained staff and volunteers, who offer support, crisis intervention, information and referrals to other resources.

• Advocacy with medical, legal and social services. Volunteers assist victims and survivors in obtaining community resources available to them, with legal needs such as restraining orders, pressing charges, or providing emotional support through medical examinations.

• Emergency Shelter safe home providers offer temporary housing for victims and their children.

• Support Groups--confidential groups share encouragement and information in a safe and supportive environment.

• Community Outreach to provide information about the effects, prevalence, dynamics and issues concerning domestic and sexual violence.

The Support Center Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability or sexual preference.

For 24 Hour Help Line

Business Line: 444-0624

How You Can Help

• Consider volunteering your time, talents, and concern by answering the Help Line, providing a safe home, childcare or transportation. Become a member of the various committees associated with the Support Center. Donate your time by helping in the office.

• Volunteers are the key to this program. We will train you.

• Make a donation of money, office supplies, or other good usable items. Or donate a business service. Please call about current needs.

• Speak Out against domestic and sexual violence. Invite us to speak at any organization you may belong to. Call for information. The more facts you have the more you can share with others.

• Take the time to be aware and show you care.

• If you know of someone who has been battered or sexually assaulted offer your support and provide information regarding our services or many others that may be in your area.

A Tri-- County Community Action Program

Serving the towns of Bath, Benton, Bethlehem, Easton, Franconia, Glencliff, Haverhill, Landaff, Lincoln, Lisbon, Littleton, Livermore, Lyman, Monroe, North Haverhill, Piermont, Pike, Sugar Hill, Woodstock and Woodsville.

All services are strictly confidential. We do not share information about clients without the client's consent.