Stay in the Know
FUNDRAISER
Click above to see Winners
Serving Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, and Interpersonal Violence
The Abuse Network, Inc., prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and provides services to all without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, ability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Confidential, No Cost Services
​
All services provided by The Abuse Network are completely confidential, as provided by the relative laws and statutes correlating to the services being received, and are provided at no cost to the client.
​
24-Hour Hotline
​
The Abuse Network offers a 24-hour hotline that provides one-on-one assistance to any caller who needs information and/or resources concerning domestic or sexual violence or crimes of interpersonal violence 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year.
Emergency accompaniment services may be accessed through the hotline.
The hotline telephone number is (717) 242-2444 or toll-free at 1-888-810-2444.
​
Advocacy
Advocates provide assistance, information, and realistic appraisal of time, procedure, and possible outcomes to help navigate unknown paths. There are basic responsibilities an advocate has to a victim/survivor:
​
-
Serve as a liaison between the victim/survivor and systems
-
Facilitate the victim's/survivor's decision-making
-
Inform the victim/survivor of their rights
-
Prepare the victim/survivor by providing them with necessary information
-
Accompany the victim/survivor as they move through systems
-
Inform the victim/survivor of other services available to them
-
Document services provided according to program requirements
-
Reach out for assistance and support when necessary
​
Child Advocacy
​
We provide services to younger victims, between the ages of 4 and 18, who are affected by domestic violence and/or sexual violence.
​
Legal Advocacy
This is any one-on-one interaction between a trained program advocate and an eligible adult victim/ survivor, or third party on behalf of an adult victim/survivor, the purpose of which is to explain the criminal justice system, the civil court, or legal system (e.g. issues related to the PFA Act, divorce, custody, etc.) as well as the victim's/survivor's rights, etc.
Legal advocacy may also include accompanying the victim/survivor to court, the police station, legal services, etc., as support. Legal advocacy has the purpose of benefiting the victim/survivor with the service plan in mind.
​
Medical Advocacy
Upon a request made by a victim/survivor, police or hospital emergency room personnel will call an advocate to meet with the victim/survivor. The advocate will introduce themselves as such and explain procedures that will take place and the reasoning for it. The advocate will stay with the victim/ survivor while they wait to be seen by medical personnel and ask them if they would like the advocate to be present during the exam.
After the exam, the advocate will meet with the victim/survivor to provide assistance, information, and realistic appraisal of time, procedure, and possible outcomes to help navigate the next step the victim/ survivor wishes to take. The advocate will ask if they can call the victim/survivor the next day to make sure they are okay and offer continuing support by The Abuse Network.
​
Accompaniment
​
Legal
Accompaniment, as well as advocacy, throughout related hearings and trials.
Medical
Accompaniment, as well as advocacy, for any test or examination at a hospital emergency room or a physician's office.
​
Police
Accompaniment to provide emotional support, as well as advocacy, should the victim/survivor decide to report the crime.
Empowerment & Options Counseling
​
The Abuse Network offers supportive counseling services to victims/survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence. Empowerment and options counseling is a wellness-based (non-psychotherapeutic) method of assistance that promotes well-being and provides victims/survivors with the information needed to help secure safety so that they may regain independence and autonomy.
​
Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter
(Hollister House)
​
The Abuse Network provides emergency shelter to those in immediate need due to fleeing domestic violence. This is a temporary sanctuary for those seeking respite from violence and abuse. All other services offered by The Abuse Network are also available to shelter guests.
​
Support Groups
​
Sexual Assault
​
A confidential sexual assault support group allows members to be heard and understood as well as encourages development of empowerment skills. It enables participants to see that they are not alone and, in turn, feel increasingly safe and capable of working on issues relating to their own experience.
Domestic Violence
A confidential domestic violence support group allows members to be heard and understood as well as encourages development of empowerment skills. It enables participants to see that they are not alone and, in turn, feel increasingly safe and capable of working on issues relating to their own experience.
Children
​
Individual or group counseling is available for children and teens between the ages of 4 and 18. Structured activities provide children and teens with the tools they need to help them identify their feelings, build self-esteem, and work on issues related to their own experience.
​
Information & Referral
​
We provide victims/survivors with all of the information and materials they need to make choices that are in their best interest. We also provide referrals for outside services that may aide in a victim's/survivor's safety, well-being, or in a victim/survivor regaining their independence.
​
Community Education/Training/Involvement
​
The Abuse Network offers a variety of awareness programs and educational trainings to schools, workplaces, other service agencies/organizations, or community organizations (e.g. churches, civic groups, kids groups).
​
Presentations are tailored to meet the needs and expectations of the audience. Program topics, include, but are not limited to, the dynamics of domestic violence, healthy relationships, and crime and violence prevention.
​
Primary prevention education to change cultural norms about violence is a major focus of our prevention activivites.
​
The agency also participates in local community events to raise awareness bout the issues of crime and violence by offering promotional and educational materials to attendees.