Battered Women's Services & Shelter

P.O. Box 652, Barre Vt 05641

24 hour hotline at 1-877-543-9498

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women ages 15 - 44.
Battering happens to women of every age, color, nationality, eduational and socio-economic level.
Abuse can take many forms, from verbal insults and humiliation to physical violence, including the use of or threat with a weapon.
Abuse is a means to secure power and control for the abuser and to undermine the safety, security, self esteem, and personal liberty of the person abused.

Vision Statement: All women and children have a fundamental right to live in safety, free from all forms of abuse. By building on the strengths of the individual and through the collective voice of an aware community, we will end domestic violence.

Services provided by BWSS include:

24 hour hotline & advocacy: Immediate help for victims of domestic violence and a safe place to call and talk in confidence about issues involving abuse. Advocates are available on a 24 hour basis to assist victims of domestic violence to obtain an Abuse Protection Order. Advocates may also accompany victims to court hearings.

Shelter: BWSS provides a safe, confidential living place for women and children fleeing from abusive situations. Shelter staff offer emotional support for residents both with helping plan for the future and meeting immediate needs such as clothing, furnishings, transportation, employment and/or job training, applying for financial assistance, and connections to parenting support services, health services and mental health counseling.

Emotional support: Staff and volunteers provide the one-on-one support that victims need to help end the cycle of violence.

Support groups: Support groups are offered weekly for women who have been or currently are involved in a battering relationship. The groups are facilitated by a BWSS staffperson in a confidential location, and are open to all women in the communtiy.

Educational presentations: In-service training presentations are made to colleges, civic and communtiy organizations and to other agencies.

School program: The Violence-Free Relationahip Project teaches teens alternatives to the use of violence in relationships.

Court program: BWSS staff make presentations at Washington County Family Court on a biweekly basis to women seeking final orders in abuse cases. For plaintiffs not represented by an attorney, a BWSS advocate remains with the plaintiff throughout the hearing.

Information and referral: BWSS staff and volunteers provide information on the dynamics of abusive relationships and make referrals to numerous other helping agencies and services in Washington County.

You can help too!

Become a BWSS volunteer.

You will be trained to help with many of the above services, as well as with administrative tasks, fundraising, and more.

For help in dealing with an abusive relationship, or just to talk, or to get information on volunteering, call: 1-877-543-9498