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Relationship Violence

by Marianne Cook, LICSW, Clinician, Harvard University Mental Health Service

Relationship violence is the physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse of one partner by the other. This includes any behavior in a relationship that intentionally frightens, intimidates, manipulates, humiliates, or injures someone. Relationship violence affects millions of Americans each year and is not exclusive to any one group. It occurs across all sectors of society, within all ethnic groups, and in both opposite- and same-sex relationships. [More]

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Resource Organizations » Relationship Violence

33 listing(s), including 10 with hotlines and 3 offering support groups

In Massachusetts

Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence

Since 1987 the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence has worked with area social service organizations, institutions, and community leaders to end family violence and strengthen Asian families and communities. Our confidential 24 hour hotline is available for those who have questions, are confused, or are in emergency situations looking for a safe place to stay.

D.O.V.E. Youth Hotline

D.O.V.E. addresses domestic abuse and dating violence. The services provided are: battered women and children services, including Crisis Hotline (counseling and crisis intervention); temporary shelter (in a protected, confidential environment); individual counseling; advocacy; and support groups.

Department of Children and Families

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the Massachusetts state agency responsible for protecting children from child abuse and neglect. To report abuse or neglect, call the Child-at-Risk Hotline anytime of the day or night at 800-792-5200. DCF relies on reports from professionals and other concerned individuals to learn about children who may need protection. DCF receives reports on more than 100,000 children each year. Certain professionals are mandated to report child abuse and neglect; however, anyone can report child abuse and neglect.

Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project

The Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project is a grassroots, non-profit organization founded by a gay male survivor of domestic violence and developed through the strength, contributions and participation of the community.

The Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project supports victims and survivors through education, advocacy and direct services. Understanding that the serious public health issue of domestic violence is not gender specific, we serve men in relationships with men, regardless of how they identify, and stand ready to assist them in navigating through abusive relationships.

REACH Beyond Domestic Violence

REACH is committed to advancing the safety, healing, and empowerment of those who experience domestic or relationship violence, through direct services and education while promoting social justice for individuals and families of all backgrounds. Teens P.A.V.E. the Way is a statewide summit to train teens as peer educators, helping to break the cycle of relationship abuse.

Safelink

SafeLink is the first Massachusetts statewide domestic violence hotline and is operated by Casa Myrna Vazquez, Inc. in Boston. As the first source of support and hope for many victims, SafeLink offers: A 24-hour live response in English, Spanish, and TTY; Translation in 140 languages; Crisis intervention, safety planning, support, information and referrals; Access to emergency shelter statewide; A link to the services of Casa Myrna Vazquez.

The Network / La Red

In 1992, The Network/La Red began to offer free services for abused lesbians, bisexual women, and transgender (LBT) folks. Today these services have expanded and include a Hotline, Safe Home (emergency shelter) program, Advocacy program, and Organizing/Outreach program. All services are bilingual and wheelchair- & TTY-accessible. ASL interpreters, air filters, and reimbursement for child-care are available as needed. All services are free of charge.

Child Witness to Violence Program

The Child Witness to Violence Project (CWVP) is a counseling, advocacy, and outreach project that focuses on the growing number of young children who are hidden victims of violence: children who are bystanders to community and domestic violence.

CWVP is staffed by a multi-cultural, multi-lingual staff of social workers, psychologists, early childhood specialists, and a consulting pediatrician and consulting attorney. It is run under the auspices of the Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Boston Medical Center.

Close to Home- Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative

Close to Home's mission is to foster community-wide responsibility to prevent and reduce the impact of domestic violence. Close to Home builds and supports networks of community residents and organizations in local neighborhoods that want to take action and address the problem of domestic violence together. Close to Home believes that domestic violence is a critical community issue and that all community members—youth, residents, families, friends, neighbors, civic leaders, and organizational partners—are essential to designing and implementing the solutions to the problem. Close to Home seeks to create opportunities for people and organizations to learn about domestic violence in their community, discuss and reflect on domestic violence in their lives and communities, develop skills to respond to and prevent domestic violence, develop and implement solutions to domestic violence, and build strong meaningful connections with each other.

Dating Violence Intervention Project and Shelter

The Dating Violence Intervention Program is a school-based curriculum for the prevention of relationship violence among adolescents.

In January 1999 DVIP created the RESPECT Line, the first hotline for teens operated by teens in Massachusetts. Since its inception thirteen years ago, the Dating Violence Intervention Project has reached over 50,000 students in approximately 45 schools and has been used as a model on a national basis.

EMERGE

Emerge's mission is to eliminate violence in all interpersonal relationships. In working toward this goal, Emerge seeks to educate individual abusers, prevent young people from learning to accept violence in their relationships, improve institutional responses to domestic violence, and increase public awareness about the causes and solutions to relational violence.

Family Justice Center of Boston

The Family Justice Center (FJC) of Boston provides a safe and welcoming environment where you can talk about your experiences and explore your options. You may need help finding your way through the legal system and understanding your rights as a victim. You may want to know if and how your child has been harmed, and by whom. You may be looking for the support that you need to stay safe and start over. At the FJC, individuals and families have access to a wide range of free services offered by a diverse group of partner organizations. FJC Partners are here to serve all victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse - including non-English speakers, immigrants (regardless of your status) and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. Childcare is provided during your visit. All services are offered free of charge.

Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF)

The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) works to end violence against women and children around the world. Instrumental in developing the landmark Violence Against Women Act passed by Congress in 1994, the FVPF has continued to break new ground by reaching new audiences including men and youth, promoting leadership within communities to ensure that violence prevention efforts become self-sustaining, and transforming the way health care providers, police, judges, employers and others address violence.

Fenway Community Health Center, Violence Recovery Program

The Violence Recovery Program (VRP) at Fenway Community Health was founded in 1986 and was formerly known as the "Victim Recovery Program." The VRP provides counseling, support groups, advocacy, and referral services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) victims of bias crime, domestic violence, sexual assault and police misconduct. Other services include a support group for LGBT domestic violence survivors, the region's only support group for male survivors of rape and sexual assault, advocacy with the courts and police, and assistance with victim compensation.

Click for a direct link to the Violence Recovery Program.

GRLZ Radio 540 AM

The GRLZ Radio, Broadcasting & Music Production Program is a nationally recognized radio station and after school program which gives young women a voice in their community. A first of its kind violence prevention and girls' leadership development initiative, GRLZ radio allows adolescent girls to gain technical skills, build a positive identity, and speak out on issues that are important to them. The station broadcasts daily on AMRadio with all aspects of production, programming, and on-air activities orchestrated by the girls themselves.

Journey to Safety, Jewish Family & Children's Services (JF&CS)

Journey to Safety (formerly Kol Isha) provides culturally competent and religiously sensitive services to all victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking no matter what their background, with specialized services for the Jewish community and the Russian-speaking community. Services are available to adults, seniors, teens and the GLBT community, and are designed to provide the support and resources needed to help victims remain safe. All services are free and confidential.

Maria Talks

Maria Talks is a statewide sexual health hotline and website designed specifically for Massachusetts teens covering topics such as pregnancy, sexual violence and GLBTQ. AIDS Action Committee (AAC) developed this website with funding from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH).

Needham Health Department

The Needham Health Department offers a range of mental health services for citizens of the town. Public Health Nurses provide confidential counseling and referrals to all ages. Short-term home-based services for at-risk teenagers and their families are provided through Riverside Community Care's Alternative Youth Services program. The program includes family counseling, advocacy, information, and referral. Call the Health Department for more information on these free services. The town's Substance Abuse Prevention and Education program provides informational programs, educational resources, and confidential substance abuse support services for Needham youth, adults, and seniors. Contact Carol Read at the Health Department to find out more about inpatient and outpatient treatment, individual and group counseling, and peer support resources regarding substance abuse, addiction and chemical dependency.

Needham Youth Services

This is a town-funded department which provides professional and confidential mental health services to youth and their families in Needham. It offers support, information, and direction on issues such as peer relationships, stress, grief and loss, substance use, suicide, and other concerns. Most services are free of charge. The department collaborates regularly with civic and community organizations on a variety of projects.

Newton-Wellesley Hospital Domestic and Sexual Violence Services

Newton-Wellesley Hospital provides free and confidential domestic and sexual violence services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The Hospital program works to provide comprehensive, culturally-competent care specific to the needs of the individual survivor.

Second Step

The Second Step provides resources and stabilization services to women in the Greater Boston area who are in abusive situations and have left their abusers and need continued services or support. The Second Step provides transitional services to survivors of domestic abuse and their children, including: transitional housing, assistance with finding employment or training, and children's services.

Step Inc.

STEP Inc. is a non-profit organization, offering free on demand (drop-in) services in English and Spanish. Services include addiction recovery, substance and alcohol abuse counseling (individual and group), crisis intervention, case management, advocacy, violence intervention and prevention (anger management), reintegration and aftercare.

STEP's mission is to provide free recovery services on demand for anyone with addiction related problems. All services are delivered in a spirit of courtesy, kindness, justice, and love. Everyone is welcome.

Outside Massachusetts

National Domestic Violence Hotline

At the National Domestic Violence Hotline we believe that every caller deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, that every family deserves to live in a world free from violence, and that safe homes and safe families are the foundation of a safe society.

Until the violence stops, the hotline will continue to answer--One Call at a Time. Help is available to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Assistance is available in English and Spanish with access to more than 140 languages through interpreter services. If you or someone you know is frightened about something in your relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline is a national resource that can be accessed by phone or the internet. The Helpline and loveisrespect.org offer real-time one-on-one support from trained Peer Advocates. The National Domestic Violence Hotline operates loveisrespect, National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline from their call center in Austin, TX.

Nineline

Covenant House Nineline is for kids who need to talk. Crisis counselors are available 24/7 to discuss issues around family, relationships, feelings, suicide, basic needs, abuse, health, sex, drugs and alcohol, and running away. The hotline is free and confidential. The Nineline website has information for young people on a wide range of physical and mental health topics.

Break the Cycle

Break the Cycle offers programs providing help, tools and information to prevent and end domestic and dating violence. www.thesafespace.org is the most comprehensive resource on the web to provide education about domestic violence.

Date Safe Project

Through interactive presentations, educational resources, and unique national initiatives, The Date Safe Project is committed to being the nation's leading organization for teaching how "asking first" makes all the difference in creating safer intimacy and in decreasing occurrences of sexual assault. Changing the old message of "No Means No" to now saying, "Do You Ask?" insures that consent is requested and obtained before any act of intimacy begins. The focus moves to the person responsible for requesting consent -- the individual committing the intimate touching or kissing. A better understanding of consent leads to healthier dating environments and to a greater awareness toward the many issues surrounding sexual assault. The Date Safe Project provides students, educators, schools, and communities with interactive keynote presentations, workshops, books, and educational resources that are filled with fun exercises, thought-provoking lessons, emotionally touching stories, and easy to implement concepts. Parents are given simple solutions to talk with their kids about tough questions regarding dating and sexual assault awareness.

National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence

The National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence provides training and consultation, influences policy, and promotes collaboration with the goal of ending domestic and sexual violence. The website provides links to extensive resources related to relationship violence within specific communities. There is a special section on the organization's efforts to stop relationship violence in military families: www.ncdsv.org/ncd_militaryresponse.html.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Established by Congress in 2000, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) is a unique collaboration of academic and community-based service centers whose mission is to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for traumatized children and their families across the United States. Combining knowledge of child development, expertise in the full range of child traumatic experiences, and attention to cultural perspectives, the NCTSN serves as a national resource for developing and disseminating evidence-based interventions, trauma-informed services, and public and professional education. The website includes information on the types of traumatic stress and resources for parents and caregivers whose children are experiencing traumatic stress.

Teen Action Campaign (See It and Stop It!)

Website created by teens to help other teens prevent relationship violence. Includes signs of relationship violence; actions teens can take as individuals and groups to stop domestic violence; tips for addressing abusers; and safety plans for victims.

That's Not Cool

www.Thatsnotcool.com provides information to raise awareness about digital dating abuse and address new and complicated problems between teens who are dating or hooking-up such as problems like constant and controlling texting, pressuring for nude pictures and breaking into someone's email or social networking page. www.Thatsnotcool.com is sponsored and co-created by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the Office on Violence Against Women and the Ad Council.

The Safe Space

www.TheSafeSpace.org website is designed for teenagers to provide information and assistance for dealing with domestic and dating violence such as tips on calling the police and safety planning.

Violence Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Violence is a serious public health problem in the United States. From infants to the elderly, it affects people in all stages of life. In 2005, more than 18,000 people were victims of homicide and more than 32,000 took their own life. The number of violent deaths tells only part of the story. Many more survive violence and are left with permanent physical and emotional scars. Violence also erodes communities by reducing productivity, decreasing property values, and disrupting social services. This CDC website includes information on a variety of topics related to violence prevention, including youth violence, relationship violence, and suicide.

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Additional Sources of Information

It's Time to Speak Out about Teen Dating Violence, a project from The Middlesex District Attorney's office inviting high school students to produce 60-second videos speaking out against teen dating violence. Learn more from this Fox News report.

Additional information is available at the Boston Public Health Commission’s “Domestic Violence Program,” which also offers a monthly newsletter (call (617) 534-2687 or email domesticviolence@bphc.org).

Publications

List of books, articles and other publications on Relationship Violence.

36th Annual National Suicide Prevention Week, September 5th - 11th, 2010. See Families, Community Systems and Suicide, from the American Association of Suicidology.

In Crisis?
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Need a referral? Call us at 617-332-3666 x 411.

Tools for Providers

Site Map

Can't find what you need or need a referral to a mental health practitioner?
Call 617-332-3666 x 411

The work of Project INTERFACE is supported in part by the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project (MCPAP).