| Seven thousand women are battered by their partners in the
U.S. every day. Three or four of these women will die from their injuries -- today. Some
of theses women will leave their abusers for the first time -- others for the last. Woman
abuse takes many forms, including insults, deprivation of sleep, forced sexual relations
and physical blows.
If you are being abused you may have been told that you deserve the abuse and you need
to be taught a lesson, or that you cause the abuse. YOU DON'T! WOMAN ABUSE
IS A CRIME AND YOU CAN SEEK HELP. |
| If you are being abused.... The
most effective deterrent against an abuser's violence is arrest and prosecution. An abused
woman may love her partner and hope the abuse will stop, but no abused woman can change
her abuser's behavior. If you are being abused, you can take steps to protect yourself and
your children. Woman abuse is not just a family problem. Woman abuse is a crime!
Call the police if you are in danger. You have a right to police assistance. The police
must write a report and have you and your children taken for medical care or to a safe
place. You are eligible to get an Order of Protection for you and your children. |
How you can help an abused
woman...
Listen and believe her when she talks about the abuse.
Encourage her to do what is best for herself and her children, but let
her make her own decisions.
Let her know how you can be of assistance.
Find her a self-help book for abused women.
Call Greenhouse Shelter for information and referral
Give her a copy of this web page!
|
Greenhouse Shelter
Greenhouse Shelter is open 24 hours a day, providing
emergency housing, food and clothing to abused women and their children up to age 18. Our
Counselor/Advocates provide supportive counseling and advocacy for these women as well as
information concerning:
We have a self-help philosophy. We do not tell a
woman what to do, but encourage her to make her own decisions. Our doors are open to all
women who suffer abuse, regardless of race, creed, sexual orientation or handicap. Our
staff is multi-cultural and we provide services in English, Spanish, Hindi, Urdu-Punjabi
and Polish. Our services are free and confidential.
You don't have to wait for a crisis to get in touch
with us and you don't have to come to a shelter to change your life. If you need someone
to talk to, you can call our hot-line (312-278-4566 -- our TDD number is 312-278-4114) any
time of the day or night. |
Chicago Abused Women
Coalition... In 1977, dedicated volunteers founded
the Chicago Abused Women Coalition which opened the first area hotline for abused women
and, two years later, opened Greenhouse Shelter. Volunteers are still an important part of
our program, and we welcome new volunteers to work with us to the sustain vital services
of Greenhouse Shelter.
Our staff and Board members are available to speak to groups or to the media about
woman abuse and our work on behalf of battered women.
Please phone for information at 773-278-4110. Only by working together can we end woman
abuse.
Chicago Abused Woman Coalition
Post Office Box 477016
Chicago, Illinois 60647 |