Victims of domestic violence often do not see themselves as being abused. They are often from childhood homes where abuse was present and therefore, do not see being abused as abnormal or wrong. Perpetrators of domestic violence, including verbal and physical abuse, batter their loved one's self-esteem by putting them down, isolating them, controlling them and threatening violence or actually hurting the victim physically (or threatening to hurt their children or other family members). The victim begins to feel "worthless" and feels that they deserve their abuse or deserve to live with the abuser. Women are not the only ones who can be abused. Men can be victims and the abused can be found in transgender, gay or lesbian households
Everyone has a right to live a dignified, happy life. To many of you, this sounds like a ridiculous statement. But, it is true! You are a worthwhile person who deserves to live in a peaceful, loving environment. You may need to fight for this right, even if you are questioning just now, whether or not you deserve it. Certainly, if you are living with children, they deserve to grow up in a family where they are not being traumatized by either witnessing or receiving abuse.
If your abuser has hurt you physically or is threatening to hurt you or your children, stalking you or making threatening telephone calls, you can get an Order of Protection from your local court or you can start the process by going to your local police station and informing them that you are being threatened and that you would like an Order of Protection. Once an Order of Protection is in place, the police will be able to arrest your abuser and will, in general, treat your calls more seriously when you feel that you are in danger. For more information about the process of getting an Order of Protection, go to www.womenslaw.org/NY/NY_how_to.htm. You should also be able to get more information regarding Order of Protection from the agencies and hotlines that I have listed below.
I urge you to call a hotline or read some of the following links to educate yourself re: the cycle of violence, which will escalate in intensity and violence unless you do something to break the cycle. Do you see yourself in these descriptions? Without intervention, consequences (like you leaving) or counseling, your abuser will not change, much as you might hope and pray that he or she will. It is up to you to change your life and get help. Your life might soon be in danger, should you choose to do nothing, as the cycle of domestic violence becomes more and more violent as it continues.
Please keep reading or call a counseling center or a hotline as follows. Please note, the following links primarily focus on the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas, but these resources will refer you to links or hotlines in your areas as well.
New York Domestic Violence Statewide Hotlines:
English: 800-942-6906
Espanol: 800-942-6908
NY Elder Abuse Hotline: 800-342-3009
Child Abuse Hotline: 800-342-3720
Battered Women's Shelters in most counties of NY:
www.msmc.la.edu/include/battered_women/shelters-newyork.htm
Domestic Violence Hotlines and Programs in most counties in NY:
www.opdv.state.ny.us/about_dv/fss/resource.html
NEW YORK: Hudson Valley / Capital District & Environs:
Albany:
Equinox Domestic Violence Program
Emergency Shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, etc.
95 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12207
Hotline: 518-432-7865
The Legal Project
Capital District Women's Bar Association
Free legal assistance to victims of domestic violence and victims of violent crime
6 Executive Drive
Albany, NY 12203
Phone: 518-435-1770
www.legalproject.org
Unity House Emergency Services
Emergency Shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, etc.
504 Broadway
Troy, NY 12180
Hotline: 518-432-7865
Columbia-Greene:
Domestic Violence Program
Support Group Meetings. Tuesdays 6:30 PM
Information regarding resources, support, counseling
10 West Court Street
Hudson, NY 12534
518-943-9211
Dutchess:
Battered Women's Services of Family Services, Inc.
Crisis counseling, support groups and emergency shelter in safehomes.
29 North Hamilton Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
24 hour Hotline: 845-485-5500
Dutchess County Family Court
To obtain an Order of Protection or file a violation of an order.
50 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
845-486-2500 (Monday - Friday)
Grace Smith House
Shelter and transitional apartments for women and children victims of domestic violence.
Counseling and crisis intervention.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
www.gracesmithhouse.org
24 hour Hotlines: 845-471-3033 or 518-789-6977
YWCA of Dutchess: Battered Women's Services: 914-485-5550
Other resources in Dutchess County:
www.co.dutchess.ny.us
Orange:
Orange County Safe Homes Project
914-562-5340
Putnam/ Northern Westchester:
Women's Resource Center
Shelter, counseling, legal assistance, education, etc. for victims of domestic violence.
2 Mahopac Plaza
Mahopac, NY 10541
Office: 845-628-9284
Hotline: 845-628-2166
Schenectady:
Services to Families in Violence
518-374-3386
Ulster:
Family Domestic Violence Programs
914-338-2370
Northeast Connecticut:
Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline (dial only from Connecticut):
888-774-2900 (callers will be routed to closest domestic violence program)
Sexual Assault Hotline: 888-999-5545
Sexual Assault, en espanol: 888-568-8332
The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV):
www.ctcadv.org
Sharon, Connecticut:
Women's Support Services
Hotline: 860-364-1900
Office Number for Services and Counseling: 860-364-1080
Torrington, Connecticut:
Susan B. Anthony Project
24 Hour Hotline: 860-482-7133
Office phone for services and counseling: 860-489-3798
Network Against Domestic Abuse of North Central
Connecticut: Serving E. Windsor, Enfield, Somers, Stafford, Suffield and Windsor Locks.
860-763-7430
www.networkagainstdomesticabuse.org
SOS Homeless Shelters Heating Assistance
Resources Alternative
Lifestyles Warning/
Emergency #'s Contact
