Domestic Violence Programs Give Hope to Survivors

By Grit Carotenuto

October was established as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989 to shine a light on the prevalence of domestic violence, the impact it has on victims/survivors and their families, and to educate the community about the availability of resources.

A common misconception around domestic violence is that perpetrators “lose control.” Domestic violence is really a pattern of behavior in which one person establishes and maintains power and control over another.

At Catholic Charities, we operate four domestic violence programs providing services in Herkimer, Montgomery, Schoharie, and Warren and Washington Counties. Through these programs, we provide safe temporary shelter (in confidential locations), one-on-one support and access to support groups.

Most people come to Catholic Charities domestic violence programs through a dedicated 24-hour helpline (listed at the end of the article). Some of the survivors might have experienced a domestic violence situation for the first time very recently, while other survivors might have suffered abuse for years or even decades.

Regardless of what brought them to Catholic Charities or how long the abuse might have happened, our staff listen to each survivor’s story. They know that each person is an expert on their own experiences and has the capacity to decide what they want to happen both in the short, medium, and long term. The goal of the staff is to support each individual in their choices.

In addition to their helpline and shelters, each program offers one-on-one services, advocacy and referrals to various resources including legal and law enforcement, housing, educational opportunities and supportive counseling.

If you or someone you know is in need of domestic violence support services, help is available:

Catholic Charities Programs
Herkimer County | www.herkimerdvp.org
24-Hour Hotline: (315) 866-0458

Fulton and Montgomery Counties
www.catholiccharitiesfmc.org/domestic-violence
24-Hour Hotline: (518) 842-3384

Saratoga, Warren, and Washington Counties
24-Hour Hotline: (518) 793-9496

Delaware, Otsego, and Schoharie Counties
www.charitiesccdos.org/Domestic_Violence.html
24-Hour Hotline: (518) 234-2231


Other Available Resources
New York State DV 24 Hour Hotline: 1-800-942-6906
or 711 for Deaf or Hard of Hearing

New York State Chat/Text Hotline: 844-997-2121
or opdv.ny.gov/chat.html

National DV 24 Hour Hotline 1-800-799-7233 or
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

National Deaf Hotline Videophone: M-F, 9am-5pm
1-855-812-1001 or deafhelp@thehotline.org