Genesis House, with a grant from Stocker Foundation and the Board of Mental Health, has launched the first domestic violence Network of Care website in the country. The Network of Care will include a comprehensive directory of domestic violence resources, an online capacity for survivors to maintain a secure personal information record, and improved access to information and services to people who may be isolated due to fear, disability, location or limited English literacy skills. The network is updated daily.

Find detailed lists of services available in our community, legislative information on state and federal levels, plus much, much more. Please visit the website at www.NetworkofCare.org.

The recently purchased POWER BUS (Providing Our Women Educational Resources~Bringing U Safety) is on the road...click here.

Our Mission

To provide a comprehensive range of family-focused services for Lorain County Victims of Domestic Violence. Such services provide the tools to maximize their opportunity to survive, obtain physical and mental well being and independence, and minimize the trauma involved in coping with family violence. We endeavor to be part of a collaborative community effort to provide a responsive system of care for victims while also raising awareness.

What is Abuse?

Abuse is a pattern of physically and emotionally violent and coercive behaviors that one person uses to exercise power and control over another. Abusers may use verbal insults, emotional abuse, financial deprivation, threats, and/or sexual and physical violence as a way to dominate their partners and get their way. Here are some examples of abusive behaviors:

Verbal Abuse:

Yelling	Name calling
Threatening to hurt or kill	Degrading women in general
Criticizing appearance	Belittling accomplishments
Constant blaming

Emotional Abuse:

Making false promises	Offering false hope
Isolating from others	Ridiculing, criticizing, blaming
Constant phone calls	Ignoring, withholding affection
Abusing pets	Accusing of affairs
Monitoring conversations	Making account for time
Criticizing friends, family	Embarrassing in front of others
Undermining authority with children
Neglecting physical or emotional needs

Financial/Resource Abuse:

Taking or breaking phone	Sabotaging work or school
Quitting or losing jobs	Running up debts
Withholding child support	Destroying property
Taking or disabling car	Taking keys/purse
Withholding financial information
Controlling money/bank accounts
Making account for expenditures

Sexual Abuse:

Constant sexual demands	Forcing unwanted sexual acts
Committing rape or incest	Forcing sadistic sexual acts
Treating others as sex objects	Forcing pregnancy or abortion
Wanting sex after abuse	Forcing to have sex with others
Calling fat, ugly, no good in bed
Making demeaning sexual remarks
Forcing family members to see pornographic materials
Insisting on unwanted and uncomfortable touching

Physical Abuse:

Holding down	Hair pulling
Burning	Throwing or hitting with objects
Locking in or out of house	Subjecting to reckless driving
Using a knife or gun	Shoving, choking, strangling
Refusing to help when sick or injured
Kicking, biting, hitting, slapping, poking, grabbing, pushing

Home isn't always a safe and happy place. It can sometimes be very frightening, especially if you're living with domestic violence.

If you or someone you love is being hurt, there is help available, 24 hours a day.

Executive Director - Marilyn Zeidner - mzgenesis@centurytel.net