When we hear the words “domestic violence” we may think of actual physical abuse, but there are many types of domestic violence. “Domestic violence takes many forms—the easily identifiable physical abuse; mental abuse; emotional abuse; financial abuse; and sexual abuse. It is about the establishment of power and control. Anything that can be weaponized to maintain control often is,” said Grace Coleman, President/CEO, Crisis Center North (CCN).
Crisis Center North is well known in the North Hills region for its comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence including: a 24-hour hotline and 12-hour daily text chat line; individual and group counseling for adults and children; case management services; community education programs for employers, churches and community groups; primary prevention programs to local schools, hospitals and law enforcement agencies; legal advocacy by providing victim assistance in the judicial system; medical advocacy by providing hospital accompaniment and training on domestic violence to hospital and medical professionals; and economic empowerment services including a micro loan program that provides low interest loans to help victims establish economic independence.
CCN also partners with several local service agencies to ensure that clients’ associated needs are met beyond counseling and legal advocacy services. “We also participate in a domestic violence rapid rehousing program, which provides housing for victims and their families. Over 90% of the program’s clientele are women and their children,” Coleman said.
According to Coleman, the Center is particularly proud of its multifaceted and national award-winning PAWS FOR EMPOWERMENT Program, a program that is inclusive of animal assisted therapy, canine court services and veterinary training to address the co-occurrence of domestic violence and animal abuse. “In October 2021, CCN expanded the PAWS Program through the award of a national OVC grant through the Department of Justice (DOJ) to implement the Emergency Transitional Pet Shelter Assistance Grant Program (ETPSHA),” she said. The next year, the Pittsburgh Foundation partnered with CCN to provide $65,000 in additional resources for families in the ETPSHA program and for awareness/promotion of this new program for victims and their companion animals. Coleman herself serves as a founding member of the Keystone Link, a statewide multidisciplinary coalition dedicated to examining the intersectionality of human and animal abuse. “The group works to find solutions among disciplines rather than within disciplinary silos,” she said.
Unfortunately, statistics demonstrate the need for such services. According to the Allegheny Department of Human Services, in 2022 in Allegheny County, 32,710 incidents categorized as domestic violence were reported to 911. And according to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), more than 80% of survivors did not receive assistance from victim services agencies. In 2020 and 2021, the National Crime Victimization Survey estimated that 50–60% of IPV victimizations were not reported to police.
Coleman explained that the need for services is increasing as more forms of violence are being identified. “Prior to the 1970’s, the English language didn’t even have a term for domestic abuse. As the field evolves, more forms of violence are being identified. As need increases, unfortunately, resources do not. This year PA programs lost 5% of their Victim of Crime Act Funds,” she said.
The Women’s Center & Shelter (WC&S) of Greater Pittsburgh is also a valuable resource for the Western PA region. “Our staff provides help and hope to over 7,000 survivors of domestic violence each year. To uphold our pledge of protecting and supporting all survivors and their children, all services are free, confidential and available in person or virtually, depending on the service,” said Rhonda Fleming, Chief of Prevention, Intervention & Outreach.
WC&S services and programs include: hotline services; emergency shelter; children’s advocacy program; legal advocacy and civil law project; a wellness team; an education and outreach team; a refugees, immigrants and limited English speakers team; children, youth and families specialists; immediate needs coordination; medical advocacy; MENS (Men Embracing Nonviolence & Safety) group; the Standing Firm initiative; and the High-Danger Initiative.
2024 is a big year for WC&S as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. “We began in a small storefront space in the North Hills, founded by Ellen Berliner and Anne Steytler, offering a simple and safe meeting place for women in the Pittsburgh area,” Fleming said.
Fleming pointed out the overwhelming need for services. “We provide services to more than 7,000 people each year. This in and of itself validates the serious need for domestic violence services. While we are largely known for providing shelter, and it is a very critical program which we offer, it is also one of the smallest of areas that we reach,” she explained, “In many instances, a survivor does not choose to nor need to vacate their premises. Instead, they may need help with legal matters, ongoing individual and/or group counseling, a warm voice on the 24- hour hotline, or any of our outreach services. We have to help increase awareness with other client-based community providers who may be working with domestic violence survivors.”
Both Coleman and Fleming stated ways for the community to assist in their efforts to serve victims of domestic violence. “Survivors should be assured that they are not alone and help exists. Many people are reticent to reach out to their domestic violence centers for assistance due to the stigma associated with domestic violence,” Coleman said. “Given the frequency of abuse, this stigma should be erased. Resources are available, and local DV centers focus on this issue, most exclusively.”
“The initial and most common way is to be a support person to anyone you’re aware of who is living with domestic violence. Basic support involves listening non-judgmentally. Arming oneself with the knowledge of programs to help is a natural follow up to this,” Fleming said.
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