Domestic Abuse Services
Supporting Survivors of Domestic Abuse
YWCA Greenwich is the only state designated provider of domestic abuse services in Greenwich, with staff who are licensed to provide a variety of victim services. No one is ever turned away and all services are confidential and free of charge. Last year, YWCA Greenwich Domestic Abuse Services responded to more than 3,900 requests for assistance through its hotline and walk-ins to the YWCA.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
During the month of October, YWCA Greenwich held a series of events to raise awareness about domestic violence and raise funds to support the YWCA’s domestic abuse services and prevention programs.
The YWCA’s giant purple purse made appearances all over town, and during the month-long Purple Purse Challenge, YWCA Greenwich earned nearly $40,000 to support the life-saving work for adults, teens and children suffering from domestic abuse.Financial Literacy Coaching
Financial abuse occurs in 99% of abusive relationships and is another, less obvious, way abusers get and maintain control over their partners. Lack of finances is one of the strongest barriers for victims to leave an abusive situation and can have long-term consequences even years after separation.
As a response to this specific need of the clients we serve, YWCA Greenwich Domestic Abuse Services launched a new initiative to provide financial literacy services. Volunteer financial professionals, who have completed the YWCA's Domestic Violence Certification Training, are delivering group workshops and individual coaching sessions to victims and survivors, supporting them to gain independence by increasing knowledge and skills around basic budgeting, saving and investing, credit and other fundamental fiscal concepts.
Prevention Programs
YWCA Greenwich continued to expand Violence Prevention and Healthy Relationship Programs in the Greenwich Public and Independent Schools for all grade levels. These age-appropriate programs teach students about healthy relationships and prosocial skills such as conflict negotiation, feelings identification and active listening. YWCA Greenwich counselors also address the growing issue of teen dating violence. More than 2,200 middle school and high school students participated in presentations about teen dating violence.
Partnerships
YWCA Greenwich Domestic Abuse Services continues to expand and form new partnerships with key organizations and providers in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
- Connecticut Legal Services
- Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s Fund for Women and Girls
- Greenwich Commission on Aging
- Greenwich Community Health Improvement Partnership (GCHIP)
- Greenwich Together
- Greenwich Youth Services Council
- Sexual Violence Prevention Collaborative of Fairfield County
Professional Training and Community Education
YWCA Greenwich increased its focus on trainings to enable professionals in healthcare, law enforcement, mental healthcare and those who serve the LGBTQ community to recognize and respond appropriately and safely to instances of domestic violence.
Last year’s training included:
- YWCA Greenwich partnered with Love 146 to provide professional training on the topic of Human Trafficking and Sexual Assault, with a focus on reaching youth who have been sex trafficked.
- YWCA Greenwich provided professional trainings to Greenwich Emergency Management personnel, Greenwich Police and attorneys practicing family law.
- As a partner of the Sexual Violence Prevention Collaborative of Fairfield County, YWCA Greenwich created and delivered training to coaches of youth sports, including Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC) Directors and 60 coaches in the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA).
- YWCA Greenwich trained managers and supervisors across departments of the Town of Greenwich on domestic violence in the workplace, including implementing a best-practice model policy.
- YWCA Greenwich partnered with the Greenwich Commission on Aging to deliver a training on Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse for 45 senior care professionals within the Senior Service Provider Network.
Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. YWCA Greenwich held an important panel discussion about current interpersonal dynamics on college campuses, laws and procedures for investigating sexual assault and information to prepare young adults going off to college.
Photo above:
Elizabeth Conklin, the Title IX Coordinator at the University of Connecticut; Meredith Gold, Director of Domestic Abuse Services at YWCA Greenwich; Mary Lee Kiernan, President and CEO, YWCA Greenwich; Vanessa Grigoriadis, Author, Blurred Lines: Rethinking Sex, Power and Consent on Campus; and Reena Ninan, CBS News Anchor.