How to Help Victims of Domestic Violence

Jennifer Gabrenya and Leah Wardak

Rainbow House

4149 West 26h Street

Chicago, Illinois 60623

773.542.4175 or 773.257.5492

jeniwomym@ aol.com or warl@sinai.org

Making a Difference: How to Help Victims of Domestic Violence is an interactive workshop with the purpose of exploring and understanding the dynamics of domestic violence. Participants will engage in a number of activities designed to cement learning and increase the participants' understanding of the complexities of an abusive relationship.

The first activity is designed to show participants how difficult it can be for victims of domestic violence to leave their situation and addresses some societal biases toward victims. Facilitators will present a working definition of domestic violence and allow for audience discussion of this definition. Statistics to show the prevalence of domestic violence in our society and in specialized populations will be presented and discussed.

Since so many people believe that domestic violence is only physical abuse, the facilitators will use materials integral to the domestic violence movement to explain and explore the numerous types of abuse in relationships. Participants will be asked to draw on their own experiences, both professionally and personally, to identify tactics often used by abusers. Participants will also be asked how these abusive tactics can create barriers to leaving an abusive relationship.

Facilitators will discuss the symptoms and warning signs indicative of abuse and how clinicians can identify and intervene on behalf of victims. Participants will be walked through the appropriate steps for adequately screening patients and clients for abuse. Facilitators will then provide referral information for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the City of Chicago Domestic Violence Helpline.