The goal of the program is to help families break the patterns of violence in relationships. When battering occurs in a relationship, it is extremely detrimental to those family members living throughout it and to the community at large. We provide assistance to:

Battered Women who are living in a verbally and physically violent world. She feels trapped by her fear, shame and guilt; trapped by tradition, economics and her love for her family. Many women feel they have no other option but to stay and try to survive.

Children who are living in the violence. They suffer physically as well as emotionally. The scars can remain throughout their entire lives. Research shows that children raised in violence can perpetuate the cycle of violence as adults.

• 24-hour shelter phone hotline
• Shelter and safety for women and children in immediate danger
• Crisis counseling
• Women in shelter make their own plans and decisions, but staff will offer direction to the women regarding agencies throughout Lorain County who can help them when seeking a job or housing, transportation and childcare.

Shelter Services

Lorain County Safe Harbor/Genesis House exists to provide temporary safety, shelter, food, aid and support to the victims of domestic violence and their children who have reached the decision to leave the violent situation.

When a person calls for assistance or information, a telephone interview is conducted; then if space is available, a trained shelter staff person arranges to meet the victim away from both the home and the shelter to explain the shelter and discuss what options are available. If it is agreed that the coming to the shelter is the best choice, arrangements can be made at that time.

While shelter residents must make their own plans and decisions, an extensive client advocacy program is available to makes sure they have access to the information they need to move forward. Shelter staff is always available to discuss her options.

Most battering includes two or more of the following types of violence:

Physical Abuse: Includes slapping, punching, kicking, choking, grabbing, restraining, shoving, and the use of weapons.

Sexual Abuse: Includes forcing someone to have sex against their will or forcing a partner to participate in sexual acts that the partner is not comfortable with doing.

Psychological Abuse: Includes threatening to use physical violence, name calling, continually putting down the other person's abilities or worth.

Destruction of Property: Includes throwing objects, putting holes in walls, destroying property belonging to a partner or hurting the family pet.