The W.O.M.A.N., Inc. 24-hour crisis line offers peer counseling, safety planning, and resources to individuals. The crisis line is run by volunteers and staff who are trained to be crisis line peer counselors. Very often our line is used as a safe space for a survivor to open up about their abusive situation, and our role as a peer counselor is to support them. Many times a survivor just needs someone to listen, and to validate the experiences they are going through. When a survivor calls the crisis line, we are able to connect them with a variety of services, ranging from legal and health services to children resources via the use of our Domestic Violence Information and Referral Center, an online database of resources. For those survivors in need of shelter services, we are also able to provide information regarding housing options and information regarding domestic violence shelters in the San Francisco Bay Area. The crisis line can also act as first step in accessing other support services offered at W.O.M.A.N., Inc., such as support groups, therapy, or the Latina program.
Very cool. Is your organization familiar with the Document the Abuse website, http://documenttheabuse.com/, and the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit (EAA)? If not, they could be of great use to the victims you help.