A few weeks ago as I was getting out of my car and walking into my office at our shelter, as usual, I smiled at our landscaping crew working hard outside. I was met with neutral faces. I quickly realized that I was wearing sunglasses and a mask. Of course, they could not see my…

Domestic violence does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion or socioeconomic status. While domestic violence impacts the lives of all women of all backgrounds, society does not treat all victims of abuse equally. Social biases influence how society perceives survivors of domestic violence, and stereotypes often create barriers for care and assistance. This…

One of the questions that is often posed in regard to a woman experiencing domestic violence is why didn’t she contact law enforcement when she was experiencing the abuse? The assumption is it must have not been so bad if it was not worth contacting law enforcement, but the truth is there are many reasons…

Even during difficult times, it’s important to remember and stand up for those who are most vulnerable. April is designated as National Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and though victims and survivors of abuse should have the support they need all year long, the month-long observance brings attention and awareness to issues…

We are living in an unprecedented time during this global pandemic with social distancing and stay at home orders. Counseling is just one of the many areas that people have had to adapt during stay-at-home orders. Genesis and many other domestic violence agencies are offering Telehealth services at this time to survivors. If you have…

“Even though now the justice system’s involved in trying to protect the victim, trying to help them, they’re [victim] still very traumatized and a lot of times for various reasons they don’t wanna pursue [charges], so this alleviates that for the victim. The video evidence speaks for itself and I think it helps the justice…

Oftentimes, when people hear stories about domestic violence, they quickly ask the question, “why didn’t she just leave?” At Genesis, we know that leaving is much easier said than done, as there are several factors that go into the decision to end a relationship. Change is a difficult process and not something that can be…

Social distancing, while necessary, can prove to be difficult, especially for those with children. Many young children, teenagers and parents are likely experiencing levels of confusion and frustration as their schedules and routines are disrupted. As parents, you may be worried that your child’s education will be hindered or that they will quickly become bored…

While many of us are currently practicing social distancing and staying inside our homes, victims of domestic violence who are trapped with abusers don’t have the luxury of feeling safe. At Genesis, one of the most critical services we provide is safety planning, where a licensed counselor helps a survivor think through practical changes that…