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Important Computer Safety Notice for Those Experiencing Domestic Violence:

Computer use can be monitored. It is impossible to completely clear the “footprints” showing where each patron has been. If you are in danger, exit our website immediately and return to our site from a safer computer (a computer in a safe location where someone abusive does not have direct or remote access). You can call the YWCA at (518) 374-3386 or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE (7233). If you are in immediate danger call 911.

If you are not in danger, and you would like more information about browsing safely and privately, please click HERE.

We believe survivors. We support survivors. We stand with survivors.

If you feel you are in immediate danger, please call our 24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline at 518-374-3386.

YWCA NENY’s domestic violence program offers safe shelter, counseling, advocacy, groups, case management, children’s services, and post-shelter services to victims of domestic violence.

The following are basic criteria for determining eligibility for using Domestic Violence Shelter services:

  • Persons who have recently experienced abuse (physical, emotional, financial, sexual) by a spouse, partner, parent or adult child
  • Persons who are living with someone abusive or who has controlled access to the home or apartment
  • Persons who have been abused in the past and are in danger of this happening again; see similar patterns or direct threats
  • Persons whose abuser is threatening with a weapon
  • Persons who have been severely emotionally abused

Individuals accessing our domestic violence services whether through shelter, counseling, advocacy, or support groups must be physically capable of caring for themselves and must not require supervision in caring for their children.

Our domestic violence shelter is wheelchair accessible. The YWCA main building has an accessibility ramp in the rear of the building.

We cannot accept victims or children of severe emotional impairment that would impact group living or negatively affect group counseling. Our team will provide referrals for services to meet your needs or your child’s needs.

Domestic Violence Support Services

Client Advocates

Comprehensive advocacy services are available at:

Counseling

Free, confidential and supportive counseling for victims (16 years and older) who are abused and their children (5 years and up). We use a Trauma Informed Client Centered approach to counseling. Services are available to anyone who has ever been a victim, whether recently or many years ago. Flexible hours available.
Call 518-418-6912.

For more information about the Counseling Services available, click HERE.

“Working with YWCA, for the first time in my life, I realized that I can value myself, set boundaries, and put myself first. It has changed my life.”

Economic Empowerment Program

Our economic empowerment program is designed to assist individuals who are survivors of domestic violence manage their personal finances, identify their interests and skills, and find employment. 

Domestic violence presents itself in a multitude of ways, with one of the most invisible being financial abuse. Some victims will work 40 hours a week and not see a single paycheck as a result of their partner’s control. This program addresses the economic disparities that come with experiences of abuse, and helps clients find access to different avenues of financial health.

Our Economic Empowerment Counselor supports clients in developing their own stability – whether that means assistance in finding their next meal, applying for childcare, applying for food stamps – or whatever the individual situation may be.

This program includes:

  • YW STRIVE – Free Professional Development Program
  • Assistance with financial planning, budgeting, time management, and goal setting
  • Preparation for job interviews
  • Access to professional clothing for interviews and work through our Soroptimist Closet
  • Computer use assistance
  • Information about continuing education or training
  • Job search tips and techniques
  • Assistance with employment applications, resume, and cover letters
  • Referrals to community agencies
  • And any other avenues of assistance the client needs.

For more information, contact Farrah at 518-374-3394 ext 137.

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation helps support our Empowerment, Healing, and Wellness Center. The Mary Kay Ash Foundation, along with YWCA NorthEastern NY, strives to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families who face despair on a regular basis. To find out more about the Mary Kay Foundation, please click here.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, sex, or gender identity. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Domestic violence occurs in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships and can happen to intimate partners who are married, living together, dating, or share a child.

Domestic violence not only affects those who are abused, but also has a substantial effect on family members, friends, co-workers, other witnesses, and the community at large. Children, who grow up witnessing domestic violence, are among those seriously affected by this crime. Frequent exposure to violence in the home not only predisposes children to numerous social and physical problems, but also teaches them that violence is a normal way of life – therefore, increasing their risk of becoming society’s next generation of victims and abusers.

This discussion of domestic violence is intended to educate the public about the dynamics of abuse in intimate partner relationships, as well as to help victims understand their experience and family and friends of victims to recognize signs of abuse in the relationships of their loved ones. The Violence Against Women Act contains a definition of domestic violence that governs the programs funded under the Act. The discussion here does not alter the definition in VAWA.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence

Types of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship. Here are some of the most common examples:

Examples of physical abuse:

  • Hitting
  • Slapping
  • Shoving
  • Grabbing
  • Pinching
  • Biting
  • Hair pulling, etc. 

This type of abuse also includes denying a partner medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drug use upon him or her.

Examples of sexual abuse:

Coercing or attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behavior without consent, including but not limited to:

  • Marital rape
  • Attacks on sexual parts of the body
  • Forcing sex after physical violence has occurred
  • Treating one in a sexually demeaning manner

Examples of emotional abuse:

Undermining an individual’s sense of self-worth and/or self-esteem is abusive. Includes but is not limited to:

  • Diminishing one’s abilities
  • Name-calling
  • Damaging one’s relationship with his or her children.

Examples of economic abuse:

Controlling or restraining a person’s ability to acquire, use, or maintain economic resources to which they are entitled. This includes:

  • Using coercion, fraud, or manipulation to restrict a person’s access to money, assets, credit, or financial information
  • Unfairly using a person’s personal economic resources, including money, assets, and credit, or exerting undue influence over a person’s financial and economic behavior or decisions including: forcing default on joint or other financial obligations
    • exploiting powers of attorney
    • guardianship, or conservatorship
    • failing or neglecting to act in the best interests of a person to whom one has a fiduciary duty

Examples of psychological abuse:

  • Causing fear by intimidation
  • Threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner’s family or friends
  • Destruction of pets and property
  • Forcing isolation from family, friends, or school and/or work.

Examples of technological abuse:

An act or pattern of behavior that is intended to harm, threaten, control, stalk, harass, impersonate, exploit, extort, or monitor another person that occurs using any form of technology, including but not limited to:

  • Internet enabled devices
  • Online spaces and platforms
  • Computers, mobile devices, cameras and imaging programs
  • Apps, location tracking devices, or communication technologies
  • Any other emerging technologies 

Source: http://justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence

 

If you feel as if you are experiencing abuse of any kind including but not limited to the above situations, please call our 24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline at 518-374-3386.

Obtaining an Order of Protection

Petitioning for an Order

Contact YWCA NorthEastern NY at 518-374-3394 and press ‘0’ to connect with our front desk. Indicate you are seeking an Order of Protection and you will be connected with an advocate who will help you draft and file a petition for an OOP in Virtual Court. If you are asked to leave a message, someone will respond to your call shortly. Please leave a safe contact number for an advocate to get in touch with you.

Upon reaching us, you’ll be given the option to connect with an advocate via phone or by any other face time media. Together, you will draft the petition and the advocate will then e-file it through remote portal or instruct you on how to file it independently.

Please click one of the below links to download the petition. They can also be found by following the instructions below.
8-2 Family Offense Petition Word Document
8-2 Family Offense Petition PDF

If you are going to file yourself you can go to:  http://ww2.nycourts.gov/forms/familycourt/index.shtml

On the left hand side of the web page, there is a list of options. Click on “Family Offense”. Scroll down to 8-2 Petition (Family offense) and click on the word document. Once completed, the form can be printed and mailed or faxed to Schenectady County Family Court. Petitions can be filed until 4:00PM Monday through Friday.

Mailing Address:  Schenectady County Family Court, 620 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305

Fax Number:  518-393-1565

After Filing the Petition

On the same business day that your YWCA NENY advocate files your petition, the Court will contact you with details on when your case will be heard. This typically happens within a few hours of filing. Make sure to keep your phone close all day to avoid missing the call.

During this phone call, you will be given a specific time for your hearing.

Please contact your YWCA NENY advocate to inform them of the court hearing.

Serving the Order

Once the judge issues the Temporary Order of Protection (TOP), you will receive a copy of the order by both mail and via email. PLEASE REMEMBER: The TOP must be physically served to your abuser for it to be valid. If your abuser does not have notice of the fact that you filed a temporary order of protection against them, they can’t be arrested for violating it!

You may register to be notified when your Order of Protection is served at https://oopalert.ny.gov/oopalert/

**Please check back daily with updates as this information may change based on COVID-19 restrictions and how that impacts our staff as well as the county courts.**

Domestic Violence Power and Control Wheel

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