Since opening, the AWRC has grown from helping a few women in our first year to expanding the scope of our services and programs to assist hundreds of women and children annually.
For women and families in crisis or transition, we provide a road map of resources to help them reach a place of emotional and financial stability. Additionally, we provide the tools and resources necessary to make thoughtful decisions about their futures. For women of all ages, the Resource Center recommendations allow for connections and life-long friends.
The Women’s Resource Center
values women and families right to:
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Food, shelter and access to health care
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Physical and emotional safety
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Economic self-sufficiency
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Workplace equality
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Reproductive choice
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A voice in policy
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A supportive community
The Women’s Resource Center is an organization that:
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Collaborates and builds partnerships
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Provides leadership on women’s issues
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Advocates for individuals
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Brings families together
OUR HISTORY
The Allen Women’s Resource Center (AWRC) is the creation of the women of the Fannie Lou Hamer Missionary Society of The Greater Allen AME Cathedral of New York. It was their heart-filled desire to provide a treatment approach to the needs of women and their minor children who have been or are in imminent danger of domestic violence, by providing temporary shelter, counseling, and resources.
IDENTIFYING ABUSE/FORMS OF ABUSE
PHYSICAL ABUSE
Physical abuse is a powerful way that an abusive person gets and keeps their partner under control and it instills an environment of constant fear. While physical abuse is the form of abuse that is most commonly known, it may or may not be a part of an abusive relationship. If physical abuse is present early in the relationship, it commonly gets worse over time. If there is no physical abuse in the relationship, it may begin to occur when the victim is pregnant or when the victim is considering leaving the relationship.
Physical violence may include: hitting, punching, kicking, slapping, strangling, smothering, using or threatening to use weapons, shoving, interrupting your sleep, throwing things, destroying property, hurting or killing pets, and denying medical treatment.
SEXTUAL ABUSE
Some form of sexual abuse is common in abusive relationships but it is often the least discussed. It can be subtle or overt. The impact on the victim is commonly feelings of shame and humiliation. Sexual abuse may include: physically forcing sex, making you feel fearful about saying no to sex, forcing sex with other partners, forcing you to participate in demeaning or degrading sexual acts, violence or name calling during sex, and denying contraception or protection from sexually transmitted diseases.
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
Emotional abuse occurs in some form in all abusive relationships. It is a very effective tactic used by abusive partners to obtain power and control and it can cause extreme damage to the victim’s self esteem. Commonly, emotional abuse makes the victim feel like they are responsible for the abuse and to feel crazy, worthless and hopeless. It is so damaging that many survivors of domestic violence report that they would have rather “be hit” than endure the ongoing psychic damage of emotional abuse.
Emotional abuse can include: constant put downs or criticisms, name calling, “crazy making”, acting superior, minimizing the abuse or blaming you for their behavior, threatening and making you feel fearful, isolating you from family and friends, excessive jealously, accusing you of having affairs, and watching where you go and who you talk to.
FINANCIAL ABUSE
This form of abuse is one of the least commonly known but one of the most powerful tactic of entrapping a victims in the relationship. It is so powerful that many victims of abuse describe it as the main reason that they stayed in an abusive relationship or went back to one. Some forms of financial abuse include: giving you an allowance, not letting you have your own money, hiding family assets, running up debt, interfering with your job, and ruining your credit.
RED FLAGS
OF ABUSE
Domestic violence encompasses a spectrum of behaviors that abusers use to control victims. The following list includes warning signs that someone may be abusive. If you or a friend experience these behaviors from a partner, remember: it is not your fault and there are advocates waiting to help.
Get Help for Yourself or a Friend
Abuse is never the fault of the victim and it can be hard for many reasons, including safety, to end the relationship. If you experience these “red flags,” you can confide in a friend or reach out for support from a domestic violence advocate. If you believe a friend or relative is being abused, offer your non-judgmental support and help.
For help and information: National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800- 799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800- 787-3224. For help and assistance call the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800- 799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800- 787-3224
“Red flags” include someone who:
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Wants to move too quickly into the relationship.
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Early in the relationship flatters you constantly, and seems “too good to be true.”
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Wants you all to him- or herself; insists that you stop spending time with your friends or family.
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Insists that you stop participating in hobbies or activities, quit school, or quit your job.
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Does not honor your boundaries.
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Is excessively jealous and accuses you of being unfaithful.
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Wants to know where you are all of the time and frequently calls, emails, and texts you throughout the day.
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Criticizes or puts you down; says you are crazy, stupid, and/or fat/unattractive, or that no one else would ever want or love you.
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Takes no responsibility for his or her behavior and blames others.
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Has a history of abusing others.
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Blames the entire failure of previous relationships on his or her former partner; for example, “My ex was totally crazy.”
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Takes your money or runs up your credit card debt.
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Rages out of control with you but can maintain composure around others.