We will work toward the elimination of domestic violence and provide emergency and support services for survivors of domestic violence.
Definition
Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive, controlling, or abusive behaviors used by one person to gain or maintain power over another within an intimate or familial relationship. Abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, technological, and spiritual harm. It may also include isolation, intimidation, threats, stalking, or the misuse of systems such as the legal or child welfare systems. Abuse is about power and control, not conflict or mutual disagreement.
Philosophy
Domestic violence affects people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and faith traditions. While the dynamics of abuse are shaped by broader systems of inequity and oppression, no one identity defines who can experience harm or who can cause it. We recognize that survivors’ experiences are complex and shaped by intersecting identities and systemic barriers.
We understand that trauma impacts the brain, body, and spirit. Our services are grounded in trauma-informed care, which means we prioritize safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. We strive to create environments where survivors are believed, respected, and supported without judgment.
We believe domestic violence is unacceptable in any form. Individuals who use abusive behaviors are responsible for their choices, and systems and institutions must also be accountable for policies and practices that enable harm or create barriers to safety.
We are committed to equity, inclusion, and accessibility. This means actively working to remove barriers to services and ensuring that all survivors and their children, including those historically marginalized or underserved, have meaningful access to safety and support.
Our guiding principle is empowerment. We honor the resilience, autonomy, and wisdom of survivors. Rather than directing or deciding for them, we walk alongside individuals as they define their own paths toward safety, healing, and self-determination. When survivors reclaim their power and live free from violence, our entire community grows stronger.
Services
We provide shelter and ongoing direct services. Services include but are not limited to 24-hour crisis intervention, emergency shelter, advocacy, counseling, information/referral, criminal justice system assistance, emergency transportation, provision of necessities, support and educational groups, and children’s programs.
Our public awareness/prevention programs work toward community collaboration, institutional and social change and outreach to survivors through in-service trainings for professional service providers, youth prevention programs, participation with partner agencies on councils, the Domestic Violence Advocacy Council, public forums and events, and all forms of media.
Our services are available twenty-four hours a day. Our primary service area is New Hanover County. (Other areas are served as needed.)