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Now Open - WomenSafe, Inc. the
Green House
An Innovative Approach to Addressing Domestic
Violence in Geauga County
Geauga County has taken the lead in family violence prevention
in Northeast Ohio. WomenSafe, Inc. is proud to announce the
opening of the Green House,
a new comprehensive domestic violence resource center. The 14,000
square-foot facility is located at 12041 Ravenna Road in Munson
Township. The property was generously donated to WomenSafe by Fairmount
Minerals and the new facility is named after Ms. Roe Green, WomenSafe's
longtime friend, whose generosity made the agency's dream of a larger
shelter a reality.
Hundreds of individuals, families, churches, scout troops, schools,
clubs and companies have financially supported this project, and
are represented on the grounds of the facility by engraved pavers
and dedicated trees, benches and rooms.
If you have not yet made a gift to help families affected by domestic
violence, there is still time. WomenSafe is accepting donations
online at: www.womensafe.org.
Or, call the WomenSafe development office at 440-286-7154 x223.
The official date of the grand opening was October 26 and 27, 2007!
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WomenSafe Inc.the Green House new children's
area.
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The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the opening of
WomenSafe, Inc. the Green House.
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WHAT IS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?
Domestic Violence is a pattern of physical, emotional, and coerced
behaviors that one family member uses to exercise power and control
over another. Most perpetrators of abuse and battering are a spouse,
ex-spouse, boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or lover. Most
often victims of abuse are women and children although men are abused
also. The abuse can be physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, financial
and psychological.
Types of abuse include:
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PHYSICAL ABUSE
Hitting * Kicking * Choking * Hair Pulling
* Biting * Poking * Grabbing * Pushing * Shoving * Burning
* Throwing Objects
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VERBAL ABUSE
Yelling * Name Calling * Threats to hurt or kill
* Criticizing appearance* Constant blaming
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SEXUAL ABUSE
Constant sexual demands * Forcing unwanted sexual acts * Making
demeaning sexual remarks
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EMOTIONAL ABUSE
Isolation from others * Ridicule * Criticism * Ignoring partner
* Abuse of pets * Monitoring conversations * Making account
for time * Embarrassment in front of others
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FINANCIAL
ABUSE
Controlling money * Demanding an account for expenditures
* Destruction of property * Taking keys or purse * Withholding
financial data
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Children Who Live
With Domestic
Violence, Often:
- Appear sad, fearful, depressed and/or anxious
- Are aggressively defiant or passively compliant
- Have limited tolerance for frustration and stress
- Become isolated and withdrawn
- Are at risk for drug and alcohol abuse, sexual acting out, running
away
- Have poor impulse control
- Feel powerless
- Have low self-esteem
- Assume parental roles
GENERAL
SAFETY PLAN
- Identify a variety of ways to get out of your home safely and
practice your escape methods. Helpful hints:
- During an explosive incident, try to stay in a room with
access to an exit
- Try to sit in a room with a phone to call 911
- Inform law enforcement if weapons are in the home
- Pack a bag with medications, important documents, money, keys,
etc. and hide it. (see below)
- Arrange a signal with neighbors to let them know when you need
help.
- Devise a code word to use with your children, grandchildren,
friends, or others to indicate that you need the police.
- Plan where you will go if you have to leave (even if you don't
think you will need to).
WHAT TO
TAKE IF YOU LEAVE
- Driver's license or other I.D.
- Birth certificates for you and your children
- Money, bank books, checkbooks, credit cards, ATM cards, mortgage
payment books
- Social Security cards, insurance papers, medical records
- Abuser's Social Security number and license plate number
- Divorce and custody papers
- Copies of your protection orders or police reports
- Keys to house and car
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP...
- Make a donation to WomenSafe, Inc.
- Share information about our services.
- Become a WomenSafe volunteer
- Invite us to speak at your next association meeting or function.
- Publicize the COPEline number and WomenSafe number by placing
WomenSafe brochures, posters, or other educational materials at
your church or place of business (all available
free fro WomenSafe)
- Plan a fundraiser for WomenSafe
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