History

The Women’s Resource Center of Newport & Bristol Counties was incorporated in 1977 by a group of local women who recognized the need to provide a place for victims of domestic violence to learn, grow and to make educational and vocational choices.

Purpose and Philosophy                            

The purpose of the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is to empower victims of domestic violence and their children through individual and social change. Education, support and advocacy programs are offered to assist victims to gain control of their lives, exercising their right to live without fear in their own homes.

In addition, the WRC provides public education programs designed to dispel myths surrounding the causes and consequences of domestic violence. The goal of these programs is to awaken community interest and concern about the issue and, in turn, to change individual perceptions.

Lastly, the WRC works for institutional change, particularly within the civil and criminal justice systems. The goal of these efforts is to improve the protective remedies available to victims. This work is done in conjunction with other safe home programs and as a member of Rhode Island’s Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Domestic Violence Defined

Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of assaultive and coercive behavior that adults or adolescents use against their current or former intimate partners, spouses, co-habitants, child-in-common and former or current dating relationships (including teen dating relationships) to maintain power and control. The violence may take the form of physical, sexual, emotional, economic, verbal and psychological attacks.

Physical abuse is defined as aggressive behavior, withholding physical needs, indirect harm or the threat of physical harm. Aggressive behavior includes punching, hitting, kicking, slapping, beating, choking, grabbing or shoving. Aggression also includes throwing objects, using weapons, shooting, knifing, kidnapping, and holding someone against their will.

Abuse may take the form of withholding physical necessities such as food and water, disrupting ones sleep, or forbidding access to transportation. One also can suffer forms of abuse such as having a child, family member or friend harmed by the abuser. Abuse also may surface as pet or animal injury.

Sexual abuse is non-consenting sexually exploitative behavior. It may be verbal or physical. It is considered non-consensual when a person is not capable of making an informed decision such as when someone is mentally incapable, intoxicated, drugged, or too old or dependent to make a decision. A child under age 16 cannot legally give consent to sexual activities.

Domestic violence is NOT caused by the following:

• Alcohol and Drugs
• Genetic Disorder
• Illness
• Stress
• Behavior of the Victim
• Domestic violence is a behavior that is learned through observation, experience, culture, and can be learned from family and peer group members.
  
  Keep in mind the following:
  
  
• You do not need a witness to the abuse, you are a victim-witness.
• You do not need to "have the abuser arrested," police will arrest an abuser according to the crime committed.
• You do not need to have visible injuries to have abuser arrested.
• You have the right to file a criminal complaint and request a restraining order.
• You can request transportation to seek medical attention.
• You have a right to ask the police to remain with you until you can leave.
• You can ask police for information regarding restraining orders and victim services.