My Sister’s House addresses the needs at a variety of
levels of those fleeing family abuse and sexual assault.
In 2002, a new facility was constructed to house this
program. Eight bedrooms, each with its own bath, well
equipped children’s play area, a living area, an activities
room, and staff area provides a warm living environment
for those needing safe sanctuary. Two therapists as well
as a victim advocate/educator work with victims both in
the shelter and in the community. Through counseling,
court advocacy, peer support, case management, etc. our
guests can start the long process of rebuilding lives and
moving on to becoming self sufficient and having a life
that is violence free.
First and foremost, the most important thing we offer is
offer a place of safety. It is very safe to say that My Sister’s
House has literally saved lives. Through counseling, case
management, advocacy, empowerment and peer support,
victims of family abuse and sexual assault can begin the
arduous task of moving through their oppression to
becoming productive citizens. Crisis intervention can
break down a wall of isolation, giving many that first little
ray of hope that someone else might understand the
abuse they have suffered, and empower them to take the
first steps towards breaking that cycle of abuse. Court
advocacy can offer a sense of security when an ex parte
protective order is obtained and the victim feels for the
first time that there is some legal recourse towards the
inhumane treatment sustained. Counseling can help
establish a self awareness and begin steps towards
emotional health. Our goal is for each woman to leave My
Sister’s House a strong, motivated individual who is
capable of a healthy, loving relationship where she is on
equal footing.
Last year, over 83% of the women seeking assistance at
My Sister’s House remained out of the abusive
relationship that brought them to My Sister’s House and
have remained self-sufficient during that time frame.
Through educational means and support groups, we are
helping children and teens become more aware of family
violence, dating violence, etc., enabling them to put
preventive measures into place.
Through keeping the conversation going about family
abuse and sexual assault, our community becomes more
aware of the possibilities and is more attuned to of the
signs of abuse. Change in both of these areas has always
been slow, but over the last 25 years there have been some
significant changes coming from education and
prevention measures. In judicial systems changes have
been slow as well, although it does take time and
education within those parameters as well for sometimes
it calls for a change in mindset. Over a period of time, our
community has become better informed, less tolerant of
criminal behavior, and more sympathetic to those caught
in the tangled web of abuse.
Change is slow, however. While one hundred years ago it
was acceptable to beat your wife (with a stick no broader
than two widths of your thumb – hence the saying “rule of
thumb”), today in most circles, that is not an accepted
practice. Laws surrounding perpetrators of family
violence as well as sexual assault have tightened, acting
somewhat as a deterrent. Education has played an
important role in how society responds to violence.
Family abuse follows no socio-economic guidelines;
therefore individuals from very diverse backgrounds
might find themselves a victim.
Last year, My Sister’s House housed 229 victims for a total
of 8,561 shelter nights. There were 791 counseling
encounters, 104 support groups, and 627 advocate
encounters.
No one deserves to be abused. My Sister’s House offers
safe sanctuary and a place of healing for those in need.
levels of those fleeing family abuse and sexual assault.
In 2002, a new facility was constructed to house this
program. Eight bedrooms, each with its own bath, well
equipped children’s play area, a living area, an activities
room, and staff area provides a warm living environment
for those needing safe sanctuary. Two therapists as well
as a victim advocate/educator work with victims both in
the shelter and in the community. Through counseling,
court advocacy, peer support, case management, etc. our
guests can start the long process of rebuilding lives and
moving on to becoming self sufficient and having a life
that is violence free.
First and foremost, the most important thing we offer is
offer a place of safety. It is very safe to say that My Sister’s
House has literally saved lives. Through counseling, case
management, advocacy, empowerment and peer support,
victims of family abuse and sexual assault can begin the
arduous task of moving through their oppression to
becoming productive citizens. Crisis intervention can
break down a wall of isolation, giving many that first little
ray of hope that someone else might understand the
abuse they have suffered, and empower them to take the
first steps towards breaking that cycle of abuse. Court
advocacy can offer a sense of security when an ex parte
protective order is obtained and the victim feels for the
first time that there is some legal recourse towards the
inhumane treatment sustained. Counseling can help
establish a self awareness and begin steps towards
emotional health. Our goal is for each woman to leave My
Sister’s House a strong, motivated individual who is
capable of a healthy, loving relationship where she is on
equal footing.
Last year, over 83% of the women seeking assistance at
My Sister’s House remained out of the abusive
relationship that brought them to My Sister’s House and
have remained self-sufficient during that time frame.
Through educational means and support groups, we are
helping children and teens become more aware of family
violence, dating violence, etc., enabling them to put
preventive measures into place.
Through keeping the conversation going about family
abuse and sexual assault, our community becomes more
aware of the possibilities and is more attuned to of the
signs of abuse. Change in both of these areas has always
been slow, but over the last 25 years there have been some
significant changes coming from education and
prevention measures. In judicial systems changes have
been slow as well, although it does take time and
education within those parameters as well for sometimes
it calls for a change in mindset. Over a period of time, our
community has become better informed, less tolerant of
criminal behavior, and more sympathetic to those caught
in the tangled web of abuse.
Change is slow, however. While one hundred years ago it
was acceptable to beat your wife (with a stick no broader
than two widths of your thumb – hence the saying “rule of
thumb”), today in most circles, that is not an accepted
practice. Laws surrounding perpetrators of family
violence as well as sexual assault have tightened, acting
somewhat as a deterrent. Education has played an
important role in how society responds to violence.
Family abuse follows no socio-economic guidelines;
therefore individuals from very diverse backgrounds
might find themselves a victim.
Last year, My Sister’s House housed 229 victims for a total
of 8,561 shelter nights. There were 791 counseling
encounters, 104 support groups, and 627 advocate
encounters.
No one deserves to be abused. My Sister’s House offers
safe sanctuary and a place of healing for those in need.
| My Sister's House |
| 24-HOUR CRISIS LINE 704-872-3403 |
| IF YOU ARE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP… Have important phone numbers easily available for you and your children such as police, crisis lines, friends, shelter Think of friends and/or neighbors you can tell about the abuse. Ask them to call the police if they hear angry or violent noises. Teach your children to dial 911. Make up a code word to use with them when you need help. Practice ways to get out of your house safely. Be aware of any weapons in your house, their location, etc. Stay away from those areas when the abuse escalates. Think of where you could go when in a dangerous situation. Make a plan. Put together a bag of items you use everyday and hide it somewhere that would be easy for you to get to or ask a friend or family member to store it for you. Get a cell phone or keep change for using a pay phone. Open a bank account or get a credit card in your name. Go over your safety plan often. Go to a safe place – friend, neighbor, relative, emergency room if you need medical help. Call the police. Call US! If you have time, take important papers for you and your children such as birth certificates, bank books, marriage license, car insurance/titles/registration, financial records, medical records, keys, address book. |
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| DIAKONOS, Inc. Fifth Street Ministries Do justice...love mercy |
| FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CLICK HERE |