I spend a lot of time talking with survivors of domestic violence. Lately, I’ve been co-facilitating a support group at our shelter, where we utilize an arts based curriculum and psychoeducational framework. In these conversations, we’ve had an opportunity to learn from one another about a variety of topics, including self-care, boundaries, trauma, domestic violence, and red flags. In these conversations, I’ve been astounded by so…
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). At REACH, we are painfully aware of domestic violence every day. Its effects are obvious on the faces of the survivors that come through our doors seeking help, whether in the form of physical injuries, or the wary looks on their faces. The other day we were waiting for a candidate for an open staff position to come in…
At our annual meeting last night, we focused our discussion on how to talk to young people we care about as they prepare to leave for college about intimate partner violence. While sexual and dating violence have always been issues impacting college students, the recent media attention to this problem has left many parents and incoming college freshmen feeling a heightened sense of anxiety and concern…
We’ve talked before on this blog about the process of arriving at shelter, about the myriad of emotions and hopes and fears and reactions that someone can have when facing such a huge step. But have you ever wondered what happens on the other end, when they’re ready to leave shelter? As one staff member puts it, if it were a movie, this would be the…
Over the past five years, I have lost an important person in my life every year. My brother in-law, my paternal grandfather, my maternal grandfather, a friend and mentor, and my paternal grandmother. Sam, Lewis, Oscar, Sarah, and Eleanor. Some of these deaths were sudden, some of them were anticipated- each of them had an impact on my life that defies description; each of their deaths…
Abuse thrives in isolation and silence. When we use our voices we can prevent abuse, protect survivors and strengthen our communities.
Last fall, REACH was awarded a federal grant under the Violence Against Women Act to lead a group of community partners in enhancing the safety of elders in the City of Waltham. Together with Springwell Adult Protective Services, the Waltham Police Department, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, and the Dual Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, we have formed the group called Waltham Against Abuse…
Throughout this year and especially in the past couple months there have been ample opportunities to engage in conversation with friends and family about domestic violence. Here at REACH we believe that everyone has a role in preventing domestic violence; whether it be while watching the Superbowl or the Grammys or hearing your colleagues discuss the movie 50 Shades of Grey, we ask that you do…
It seemed like the whole world was talking about the opening of the 50 Shades of Grey movie this past weekend. There were as many different perspectives as there were people talking. Some see in this cultural phenomenon a tale of sexual awakening and pushing the boundaries of conventional sexual mores. Some see a level of sexual explicitness not appropriate for mainstream culture. Some see an…
Last night, like many of us, I found myself watching the press conference with Jim Harbaugh, coach of the Baltimore Ravens, as he discussed the decision to cut Ray Rice from the team and the NFL’s decision to suspend him indefinitely. While Rice had originally been suspended for two games following the release of a partial video that showed the aftermath of a physical attack on…
