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Ongoing Programs and Services
Public School Domestic Violence Education Program: For students, faculty, staff, support services and other community members, this committee is actively collaborating with area schools and parent/community groups to educate students about teen dating violence issues and healthy relationships, as well as issues of bullying and non-violent solutions to problems for the younger grades. Specifically, we have facilitated the production of three dramatic performances (The Yellow Dress, Doing the Right Thing) in Acton, Bedford, and Concord schools, participated in the CCHS health week, provided training for noon-aides and bus monitors on bullying issues (Concord-Carlisle), and sponsored two staff to take professional training for the MVP Mentoring Program at Northeastern University (Acton-Boxborough). For more details, read our 2006-2007 Education Report [pdf].
Support Groups for Women with Controlling Partners: These twelve-week programs help women achieve safety and self-care, understand the more insidious and coercive behaviors of the abuser, and examine how the control affects their lives. Held in a safe environment with other women in similar situations, the sessions are led by trained social workers who have been working in the field of domestic violence for over eight years. For more information, call (978) 287-4089. All conversations are confidential. The Network for Women’s Lives underwrites the cost of the sessions and babysitting services as necessary.
Clergy Symposium: Practical guidance and discussion is provided to clergy who counsel affected members of their faith communities in dealing with domestic violence issues. The Symposium Committee determines agenda, speakers, publicity, and local arrangements and facilitates the symposium.
Rachel’s Boxes: Wooden boxes located throughout the community (e.g., libraries, schools, faith communities) contain general information on domestic violence and related issues as well as information to help victims keep safe (e.g., safety planning, support resources and hotlines). The Rachel’s Box Committee determines new box locations and information requirements and coordinates the volunteers who keep the boxes filled.
DV Hotline Tear-off Notes: An easy-to-conceal tear-off printed with state hotline numbers which are mounted on small laminated cards. These cards contains information about healthy and unhealthy relationships. These cards/tear-offs are often placed in restroom stalls where a victim is alone and more likely to feel safe taking the information when the time for action is right. This committee identifies locations and coordinators and keeps them supplied with the hotline tear-off pads.
The Safety Net: This quarterly newsletter is sent to members and placed in Rachel’s Boxes. The Newsletter Committee determines and researches newsletter content, publishes the newsletter and distributes it via mail to the Rachel’s Box committee and to our general mailing list, including all area police departments, libraries, schools, places or worship, and town agencies.
Recent issues of our newsletter can be viewed online: