Bridges Domestic & Sexual Violence Support Services Inc

Programs: Direct services provided to victims/survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence includes crisis advocacy and referrals to community partners, therapists, legal services, housing, medical services, and others. Crisis advocacy is provided 24 hours by telephone, or in-person at our offices, or at courts, police stations, hospitals, child advocacy centers, or other safe public locations. Court, police, medical advocacy includes providing support with the restraining order process, the criminal process, divorce and custody process, victim's compensation applications help in obtaining legal assistance, and education about domestic & sexual violence and issues that victims/survivors face. Peer facilitated support groups for domestic violence, sexual assault and child support groups for domestic violence exposure and child sexual assault. Child advocacy center advocacy includes providing suppport and options for the non offending caregiver as well as the child victim of sexual assault or abuse. All services at bridges are provided free of charge.

bridges: domestic & sexual violence support provides safe, emergency housing in a confidential location for up to 5 women and 7 children. In addition to crisis advocacy services being provided, there is also support groups specific to shelter clients, goal planning, assistance with obtaining services for the women and their children in regards to medical, education, and legal services, risk assessment and safety planning, and financial and transportation assistance when needed. Bridges also provides transitional housing to women and children who have been affected by domestic violence and are ineligible for other transitional housing programs in the area.

education and outreach is provided to schools, community organizations, and civic organizations. School based programs include bullying, sexual harassment, teen dating violence, sexual assault, and healthy relationships. Community and civic education and outreach includes the above and also domestic violence, and domestic violence in the workplace. All education and outreach programs are provided free of charge.

domestic violence is a pattern of assault and coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual and psychological attacks, as well as economic coercion that adults and adolescents use against their intimate partner. The domestic violence program works with the division of children, youth and families to provide emergency counseling services to domestic violence victims.