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Domestic Violence Services: A Helping Hand

 


 

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Hotline: If you want to talk with someone, our advocates understand what you are going through. We will listen, and share with you information that you might find useful as you decide what to do. Call for information and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 845-634-3344. Click here if you need help now.

Walk-In Centers: The courts, police and public assistance can be complicated systems to negotiate. Advocates at our walk-in centers are available to listen and help you explore your options, so you can decide what you want to do. Our advocates will accompany you as needed.

Support Groups: Whether you are in a relationship with a batterer, thinking about leaving, or have left, you are welcome to come to a support group where women share experiences, learn from each other and discuss options together. We offer morning and evening groups as well as groups in Spanish.

Bicultural, Bilingual Services: We know that domestic abuse and sexual assault is a reality for women in every community. And we know that different communities need services sensitive to their culture and traditions. Our staff offers culturally sensitive and bilingual support counseling and advocacy. We also offer support and mothers' groups in Spanish.

RFS coordinators do direct service and outreach in the following communities:

 

African American
Haitian - French and Creole speaking advocates available
Asian - Hindi and Urtu speaking advocates available (other Asian languages can be obtained)
Latina - Spanish speaking advocates available
Orthodox Jewish - Hebrew speaking advocate available (Yiddish can be obtained)

 

Lesbian/Bisexual Services: We know that domestic abuse and sexual assault is perpetrated in same sex relationships as well as heterosexual relationships. And we know that coming forward as a victim of domestic violence may also mean exposing yourself to homophobia and heterosexism.

We offer lesbian-friendly support counseling and advocacy. We also offer trainings and consultations on same sex violence to organizations and schools.

Children's Services: We know that CHILDREN often need someone to talk to when their mother is being abused. Our staff will help you to help your children. The children's program helps children heal from the violence and abuse that they have witnessed or experienced. We provide information and referrals, individual and group counseling and mother's support groups (in English and Spanish). To assist you in the healing process, we provide you with our mother's manual: CHILDREN OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HEALING WOUNDS by Judy McDermott, MSW and Frances Wells Burck.

Emergency Shelter: If you are fleeing your batterer, our emergency shelter offers a safe, confidential and homelike location for you and your children. Shelter staff is available 24 hours a day to assist in providing a welcoming supportive environment. The Shelter staff provides safety planning, advocacy/accompaniment, specialized children's services and crime victims compensation claims assistance. Your religious, cultural and dietary needs will be respected. A Kosher cooking area is available.

Mary Weingard Domestic Violence Law Project: After speaking with an advocate, you can request a free consultation with a staff attorney. Legal representation is available on a limited basis. Technical assistance is provided to attorneys representing RFS clients. Based on availability, volunteer pro-bono attorneys are assigned to represent battered women in divorce cases. Attorneys that are interested in volunteering with this project can call us at 845-634-3391.

Crime Victims Compensation Assistance Staff can assist you in learning if you are eligible to receive crime victim's compensation and support you throughout the application process.