6 Amazing Groups Providing Support To Domestic Violence Survivors

Domestic violence affects people of all ages and genders, and those who have been in an abusive relationship often have difficulty finding adequate support. Luckily, there are many groups providing victims with resources to help them thrive. In no particular order, here are some organizations dedicated to assisting survivors of domestic abuse.

First up, at #1, we have the Domestic Violence Crisis Center. It advocates for individuals in abusive relationships, offering various services that aim to assist them in building a safer environment to support their well-being. Among its projects is PeaceWorks, which teaches students about healthy relationships, setting and respecting boundaries, and consent through various exercises and discussions.

“We basically are the victim’s voice when all these decisions are made at the arraignment,” said Moreno. Now, as the agency enters its 40th year in lower Fairfield County, Adam said the DVCC strives to ensure that every person in the communities it serves — which include Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, New Canaan, Weston, Westport and Wilton — understands there is help ready for them. “We’re here to meet you — this community — where you’re at. We’re also here to help our community to grow in awareness and education and inform one another so we really can support one another,” said Adam.

The organization offers domestic violence victims and their children temporary housing, where they are provided with meals, clothing, safety planning, and transportation. It also provides individual and group counseling, with the goal of fostering a supportive environment to lessen feelings of isolation, self-blame, and denial.

Taking the #2 spot is Project Safe, a nonprofit organization working to end domestic violence through crisis intervention, supportive services, systems change advocacy, and education. Its emergency shelter serves people of any gender identity, and its trained staff organizes individual advocacy meetings and support groups.

Among its services is the Project Safe Thrift Store, which is both a place for the community to shop for and donate items, as well as a resource for those who are fleeing an abusive situation. The organization's clients can shop at the store for free with vouchers, and they are given first priority on any donated items that suit their current needs.

At #3 is the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Representing various organizations and programs across the state, the group engages in capacity building, communications, and public policy efforts to ensure effective domestic violence prevention and intervention. The organization also offers comprehensive survivor-focused training to first responders and healthcare providers.

The GCADV promotes legislation and public policy within the Georgia General Assembly to ensure that the interests and rights of domestic violence survivors are protected and upheld. Its Fatality Review Project is a statewide initiative that closely examines domestic violence-related fatalities in order to learn ways to reduce the number of deaths and injuries in the state.

Next up, at #4, we have Safe Alliance, which seeks to empower and provide healing for those struggling with domestic and sexual violence, child abuse, and emotional trauma. The group's Clyde and Ethel Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter offers various supportive services, such as counseling and individual advocacy; it also features age-appropriate gathering spaces for children, teens, and adults.

“Domestic violence impacts one in four women and one in nine men,” said Tenille Banner who works at Safe Alliance. Safe Alliance is an organization that helps victims of domestic violence. The is group working to end domestic violence. “It really takes the community to achieve the long term goals to make sure this isn’t happening to people,” said Banner. They partner with CMPD in domestic violence cases helping officers determine how dangerous an abuser might be in the future.

Its Victim Assistance Court Program helps individuals who have recently been assaulted or threatened file for Domestic Violence Protective Orders. Aside from offering crisis intervention and safety planning services, advocates also accompany victims to court, educate them about the process, and provide emotional support during proceedings.

Coming in at #5 is the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, which provides advocacy and support services to families and the communities within the Greater Newburyport area in Massachusetts. Among its offerings is the Bystander Education Program, which teaches middle school students how to safely confront abusive peers both inside and outside the classroom.

The organization offers supportive interventions for child survivors of domestic violence, providing services such as clinical assessment and evaluation, individual counseling, and family therapy. It also provides short-term rental assistance for families in need, as well as support services to help them achieve self-sufficiency.

Finally, at #6, we have Resilience. This nonprofit is dedicated to the healing and empowerment of sexual assault survivors through crisis intervention counseling, trauma therapy, and medical and legal advocacy throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area. Among its initiatives is the Our Music My Body campaign, which aims to raise awareness about sexual harassment in the music scene.

The organization also holds public education workshops covering topics such as the legal rights of victims and the cultural beliefs and practices that have normalized or promoted sexual violence. In 2018, the group also created the Resilience Training Institute in order to provide formally structured instruction in sexual violence response and prevention.