Get your 2008 HAVEN Calendar

Crisis and Support Line

Q: What does the Crisis Line do?

A: Offers support and information about both community resources and HAVEN's programs, 24 hours a day - seven days a week. Individuals needing shelter may gain access by calling the crisis line.

Q: Who can call the Crisis and Support Line?

A: Anyone can call the support line, even family and friends needing immediate crisis intervention or information.

Q: When can someone call the Crisis Line?

A: 24 hours a day - seven days a week. It is confidential.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: There is a toll free number for crisis and support: (877) 922-1274. There is no cost to stay in the shelter. Most needs are met, including daily meals and respite.

Residential

Q: Who is allowed to come to the shelter?

A: Survivors and their dependent children can come to the shelter that have been assessed to be in a dangerous situation due to domestic or sexual violence.

Q: How long is the stay?

A: We provide a 30-day stay in the shelter. However, it may be longer or shorter based on an individual's goals and resources.

Q: What do HAVEN's Residential counselors do?

A: Counselors offer support for all survivors. Counselors supply information to help survivors assess options and make choices regarding their futures. Information is provided regarding safety planning, housing, outside financial assistance, and group and individual counseling. Advocacy is offered to assist survivors with financial issues and other needs through outside agencies.

Q: Can survivors in the shelter stay out over night?

A: For safety purposes clients are asked to return to shelter by midnight. Counselors will evaluate each person's situation to access the need of over night stays.

Intervention In Battering (IIB)

Q: How successful is this program in changing abusive behavior?

A: It is very difficult to assess whether or not someone is continuing to use abusive behavior. However, physical abuse tends to stop almost immediately after court intervention is initiated and this trend continues throughout the IIB program. Changing abusive behavior in the long-term requires an involved therapeutic process. Generally, people who use abusive behavior have learned that such behavior is acceptable and works to their advantage in maintaining control in their intimate relationships. In order to change abusive behavior, abusers must question and change their core belief systems and learn to take responsibility for their actions.

Q: Is HAVEN's program an anger management program?

A: No, our program is an accountability-based program for those individuals who have used power and control tactics in their intimate relationships. People who exhibit violence in an intimate relationship for the purpose of gaining or maintaining power and control, contrary to popular belief, do not need anger management. Anger management is about generalized anger - everything from road rage to yelling at one's boss.

Q: Why is the program so long?

A: Because, at its core, abusive behavior is ingrained in ones values and beliefs. In order to stop using abuse altogether, one must examine and begin to change his/her beliefs and take responsibility for the abusive behavior which includes the use of power and control tactics.

Q: Does HAVEN have separate programs for those who have used physical assault vs. those who have not?

A: No. We have one program for individuals who have used power and control tactics in their intimate relationships for the purpose of gaining or maintaining power and control. No matter what tactics that individual is using, they are using them for the same purpose.

Q: Does HAVEN have this program for women?

A: Because we do not have a large enough population of women who are using power and control tactics in their intimate relationships for the purpose of gaining or maintaining power and control, we see those women individually rather than in a group setting. However the issues addressed are the same.

Q: Is there a fee for service?

A: Yes. There is an intake/history process that takes place prior to group services. The cost for this is $50.00. This fee must be paid at the time of service and this process must be completed before individuals are eligible to start the group. Group fees are assessed on a sliding scale that is based upon income.

Q: I thought HAVEN was a non-profit and therefore cannot collect fees.

A: We are a non-profit organization which means that we do not profit from the fees which are collected. Instead, those fees are absorbed into the cost of maintaining our shelter and other operating costs and currently none of our funding will support batterers' services. The funds must be used for survivors and their dependent children.

START Program

Q: Do you screen for sexually transmitted diseases?

A: No. The patient is provided guidelines for follow-up care with her/his family physician, or the health department. Approximately 4 weeks after the assault the patient should see her/his physician to be tested for venereal diseases and the presence of HIV.

Q: Do you screen for drugs?

A: No. However, with the patient's permission we do collect a blood specimen and urine specimen that is then sent to the Michigan State Crime Lab in Lansing for a toxicology screen. This is of particular importance if the patient reports having memory problems regarding the incident, as she/he may have been exposed to date rape drugs.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: There is never a cost associated with our services to the patient.

Q: What kind of medications do you have? Any tranquilizers?

A: We can provide antibiotics for possible exposure to sexually transmitted diseases; however, this does not take the place of the patient following up with her/his own physician. We can also provide mild, over-the-counter pain relievers (Tylenol and Motrin). We do not have access to tranquilizers.

Q: Can START nurses tell when someone is still a virgin?

A: No. We do not perform exams to verify virginity.

Common Statistics and Sources

• 1 out of 3 women are affected by DV
  Collins, K., Schoen, C., Joseph, S, Duchon, L. Simantov, E. & Yellowitz, M. (1999). Health Concerns Across A Woman’s Lifespan: The Commonwealth Fund. 1998 Survey of Women’s Health.
• More than 1 million people report a violent assault by a partner every year in the U.S.
  U. S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, (2000). Intimate Partner Violence. NCJ 178247.
• National healthcare costs for DV are approximately $4.1 billion
  U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. March, 2003. Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Among women admitted to the emergency room, 37% were abused by an intimate partner
  Rand, M., U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, “Violence-Related Injuries Treated in Hospital Emergency Room Departments” (1997)
  Biroscak, B.J., Smith, P.K., “Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Michigan: Findings from Emergency Department Surveillance, 1999-2000”. Lansing, MI: Michigan Department of Community Health: August 2003
• 1 out of 4 women will be abused by a current/former partner at one point in their lives
  Tjaden, P. & Thoennes, N., National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence.” (2000)
• DV crimes account for almost 40% of calls to police
  Michael Cassidy, Caroline G. Nicholl, & Carmen R. Ross (2001). Results of a Survey Conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department of Victims who Reported Violence Against Women. Available from the DC Metropolitan Police Department (202- 727-5029)
• Over 100 DV-related homicides occur in Michigan each year
  Michigan Uniform Crime Report: http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1645_3501_4621—,00.html
• 1 in 3 Michigan families experience DV
  Michigan Family Independence Agency, Domestic Violence Treatment and Prevention Board, 1996, statewide survey of women aged 18 – 69)
• Approximately 98% of batterers are male in the U.S.
  Callie Marie Rennison (2001). Intimate Partner Violence and Age of Victim, 1993-1999. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ #187635.
• 50% of homelessness among women and children can be attributed to DV
  Workplace Violence Institute
• Women are victims in 85% - 95% of all reported DV
  U.S. Dept. of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. February, 2003. Intimate Partner Violence, 1993–2001. NCJ 197838, p. 1.