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Purpose and Philosophy |
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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.
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Support Groups The Women's Resource Center of Newport & Bristol
Counties offers support groups in a variety of formats. Two curriculum
based "drop in" support groups are offered at various
times in the evenings and during the day. We also offer a ten week
curriculum-based educational group, for which pre-registration is
required. Group sessions are normally attended by 5-6 women who
work together to provide peer support. Groups work through a curriculum
that helps to focus the discussion. Discussion centers around understanding
the cycle of abuse, ending isolation, raising self-esteem, helping
victims to understand the warning signs of abusive behavior, providing
support for positive life change, and learning the components of
healthy relationships. All services are free and confidential.
* Childcare is available Community Overcoming Violence The mission of the COVE and SADA committees is to work together to change general attitudes and beliefs about domestic violence and make it intolerable in our community. This will be achieved by community-initiated projects and activities designed to prevent first-time intimate partner abuse from occurring. Court Advocacy Services
Description of Services Excerpt from State of Rhode
Island An Act Relating to Domestic Relations In a visitation or
custody order, the court may order the perpetrator of domestic violence
to attend and successfully complete to the satisfaction of the court,
a certified batterer’s intervention program as a condition
of said order. The court may also order the perpetrator to attend
a substance abuse program whenever deemed appropriate, may require
that a bond be filed with the court in order to ensure the return
and safety of the child, and may order that the address and telephone
of the child be kept confidential. The following may help you understand our Center’s services and court process. Restraining Orders REMEMBER:
Emergency Restraining Orders are only valid until the next court
business day. The Newport Court serves residents of Newport County: Newport, Middletown, Jamestown, Tiverton, Little Compton, and Portsmouth. A temporary restraining order
is valid for 21 days. At a hearing date, you can request that your
abuser be ordered, by a judge, to not contact you for up to three
years. You can request full custody
and temporary child support. Our Advocates Can Other Key Information Remember, if you fled to Newport and have a foreign order of protection, our Police Department will honor the Restraining Order. For non-county residents seeking court advocacy services, contact the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence at: (401) 467-9940 The Newport Courthouse www.cityofnewport.com District Court Phone Number: (401) 841-8350 Family Court Phone Number: (401) 841-8340 COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION The department of Community Outreach and Education is Women's Resource Center of Newport & Bristol Counties connection between agency and community. This department is responsible for maintaining the agency·s visibility in the community and working collaboratively with schools, businesses and other social service agencies. The department of Community Outreach and Education is a member of the following community groups:
Community Partnership Teams The Women's Resource Center of Newport & Bristol Counties in collaboration with Rhode Island Sexual Abuse and Trauma Resource Center have partnered with local communities to bring community-based support for victims and children of domestic violence and sexual assault. This rural outreach program is funded through a grant from the US Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women. The program was established to provide support services tailored to the needs of rural communities in Rhode Island. Community involvement, through Partnership Teams, has increased the awareness of domestic violence and encourage community ownership of solutions to the problems. The Community Partnership Teams are open to all members of the community. Little Compton's Community Partnership Team The Community Partnership Team in Little Compton works closely with the Emergency Medical Technicians and the Little Compton Police Department and have established an office in a confidential location to meet with clients. The Team is focusing on child safety programs and developing educational materials tailored to meet the needs of the community in which they live. For additional information or assistance, contact the Rural Outreach Advocate for Little Compton at (401) 625-2548. Through the efforts of the Community Partnership Team the number of Little Compton residents using this service has increased. Accomplishments and activities:
During 2002, the Newport Police Department responded to 392 incidents of domestic violence in which 98 victims were injured, 31 requiring medical attention. Police reports show that in 102 of the domestic violence calls, children were present in the home and witnessed the violence in their family. Research shows us that children who witness family violence are at increased risk for long-term physical and mental health problems, including alcohol and substance abuse, being a victim of abuse, and perpetrating domestic violence. In August 2003, the Women·s Resource Center of Newport and Bristol Counties received federal funding through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to develop and coordinate activities to prevent domestic violence in our community. Community involvement is crucial. We know we cannot end domestic violence without the community. The CDC realizes that direction for prevention activities must come from the community. This begins with having our local community working together to develop prevention strategies. DELTA Project The DELTA project builds on the success of Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence·s Rural Outreach Project which was established in 1998 as a collaboration of trained professional advocates working in partnership with local communities and residents to end family violence in RI·s rural communities through prevention, education, advocacy and services. Through the establishment of Community Partnership Teams (CPT·s), local cities and towns have developed strategies to meet the unique needs of their communities. The goals of the project are threefold:
The initiative known as the DELTA project is made possible by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Division of Injury and Prevention. The Women·s Resource Center of Newport & Bristol Counties is one of four DELTA project sites in the state. The WRCNBC works collaboratively with the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center, the Elizabeth Buffum Chase Center and the Women·s Center of Rhode Island. For more information on community resources, please email Jessica Walsh, Director Community Outreach and Education, or you may call her at (401) 846-5263 x 107 Children Who Witness Abuse The Women's Resource Center of Newport & Bristol Counties offers Children Who Witness programs designed to help children explore their feelings in a safe environment under the guidance of trained facilitators. The program is designed to help children explore their feelings in a safe and nurturing environment under the guidance of trained counselors. You may speak with program coordinators by calling our Newport office at 401.846.5263 or our Warren office at 401.247.2070 during regular business hours. Children exposed to violence in their homes are more likely to have anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, anger, and temperament problems than other children. Difficulties sleeping, socializing, and focusing on learning occur often. It is the goal of the children's program to minimize these effects by helping children feel safe, feel better about themselves, and empowering them to solve problems in healthy ways. Through art, play, music and discussion, children are encouraged to express their feelings. They learn that: All feelings are accepted here Parents receive support and education as well. Parents are encouraged to get more information by calling and speaking with a coordinator. If desired, they can make an appointment to come in for an assessment and learn how the program may help their family. Children's services, as well as all programs offered by the Women's Resource Center of Newport and Bristol Counties, are free and confidential. Newport Office: (401) 846-5263 Warren Office (401) 247-2070. Peace Promotion Program
Mission Statement The mission of the Peace Promotion ProgramÔ is to challenge and change nonproductive attitudes and behaviors, eliminate the use of violence as means of resolving conflicts, increase levels of tolerance and unity in school communities and to develop and encourage the participation in leadership opportunities. On July 15, 2003, the Rhode Island General Assembly enacted Rhode Island general law; chapter 16-21 entitled ·Health and Safety of Pupils.· The general assembly has determined that bullying disrupts the school·s ability to educate students and threatens public safety. The Peace Promotion ProgramÔ is a school based violence prevention and conflict resolution program that can assist your school in the compliance with the statutes of this law which requires schools to develop a process for discussing harassment, intimidation and bullying with pupils. The State of Rhode Island seeks to use community agencies as a resource for the reinforcement of health education. The Peace Promotion ProgramÔ is recognized as one of these community resources. Our curriculum is designed and maintained with the state health education standards as a guideline. This is a significant connection as statistics show eighty-six percent of 12-15 year olds surveyed indicated that bullying occurs at their school more than drinking, drugs or sex (The Kaiser Foundation, 2001). Peace Promotion started as a small pilot program at the Thompson Middle School in 1996 and has since branched out to serve 19 additional public and private schools in our nine-town catchment area. Our curriculum is very comprehensive and innovative. Experience shows that the PPP is most effective when presented in four one-hour sessions over a period of four consecutive days. Bimonthly follow-up sessions are also available. The Peace Promotion ProgramÔ team will work with you to determine a schedule that best meets the needs of you school or organization. In May 2003, the Peace Promotion ProgramÔ received the Healthy Schools! Healthy Kids! program recognition award. The Healthy Schools! Healthy Kids! Initiative is Rhode Island·s coordinated school health program that seeks to encourage the development of safe and nurturing learning communities, thus reducing barriers to learning. The Healthy Schools! Healthy Kids! Initiative is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and covers nine content areas including school climate. For more information about the Peace Promotion Program· , please email Jessica Walsh, Director Community Outreach and Education, or you may call her at (401) 846-5263 x 107 Develop a Safety Plan The following safety plan is adapted from the Domestic Violence Safety Plan developed in cooperation by the RI Police Chiefs Association, funded by the Domestic Violence Training & Monitoring Unit and the RI Supreme Court. It is important for you to make a safety plan for you, your family and your pets. Safety during an argument, while planning to leave your abuser, in your workplace and for your family and pets requires careful planning. The following tips may assist you when dealing with the following situations. Planning for Safety During an Argument:
Preparing to Leave: When you are preparing to leave your home it is important that you take the time to make copies of important documents and to plan on taking the following documents and other items with you. CHECK LIST
Visit our pet safety page if you need to make special plans for your family pet. The most important step you can take now, is to plan for your and your children's safety in the event you can not avoid a violent situation. Identify a relative, friend, or trusted person and share your plan with them. They can be your most valuable asset in a crisis. Preparing them is as important as preparing yourself. They may save your life and that of your children. There are a number of web sites offering
forms that you can download to help you formulate your personal
safety plan or you can call the Women's Resource Center hotline
at (401)847-2533/(401)846-5263 or (401)247-2070(east-bay area) Check
back for links to those sites or search by typing in "domestic
violence safety plan" under a search engine.
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