BuxMont Live! Mondays 11:10 am to Noon on WNPV 1440 AM

Topics Discussed:

• What is Laurel House?
  Comprehensive domestic violence agency. They are the only one in Montgomery County. 24 Htheir Hot line 1-800-642-3150
• How old is Laurel House?
  They were established 31 years ago as a domestic violence shelter and hot line. Since that time They have grown and expanded services as needs arose.
• What services do you offer?
  Emergency shelter, 24 hour confidential hot line, community counseling, transitional housing, DART (Domestic Abuse Response Team) community education, teen dating violence prevention programs to schools. Services are available to female and male victims of domestic violence.
• How many people do you provide service to?
  Last year 148 women & 142 children stayed in their emergency shelter; had 1360 hot line calls; educated over 6,000 students about healthy relationships/teen dating violence; trained over 2500 law enforcement officer & health care providers; provided crisis response to 90 victims of domestic violence.
• How do people get to you? How do they contact you?
  The main point of entry to receiving support/services through Laurel House is by calling their 24 htheir hot line at       1-800-642-3150. It is answered 24/7 by highly trained advocates.
• What is domestic violence?
  Domestic violence can take many forms. It’s more than physical abuse or a black eye. It can be psychological, emotional, verbal and financial abuse, sexual violence and isolation's. It’s more than anger management; it’s about power  & control.
• Who are the victims?
  1 in every 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. It’s an epidemic that affects individuals regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background.
• Are you seeing any trends?
  Terrifying Trend – domestic violence fatalities in PA has risen 49% in two year; 121 deaths in 2007, 147 deaths in 2008 & 180 deaths in 2009
• Has the economy impacted domestic violence?
  Economic downturn is exacerbating domestic violence. The economy does not cause domestic violence, but in abusive relationships, the factors associated with a bad economy can increase the frequency and severity of abuse.
• Has Laurel House been affected at all by the State Budget?
  62 member organizations of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, including Laurel House, were fortunate. their funding levels saw only a slight (1%) decrease.
• They are appreciative of this since the need for their services continues: their hotline call volume has doubled over the past 2 years and requests for Community Counseling are at the highest level ever.
• What if I know someone who is being abused-or-that I suspect is being abused?
  The most important thing is to let them know that you care, you know what’s going on and you are willing to help them. Do not judge them. Give them contact information for domestic violence hotlines and Theybsites (if it’s safe). If they are not willing to “hear it” – don’t judge, but leave the door open. They will come to you when they are ready.
• How can someone help Laurel House?
  Learn about domestic violence & educate others, become a volunteer, participate in fundraising activities, make financial donations (no matter how big or small, all donations make a difference), donate “wish list” items, mobilize others to support Laurel House.
• If someone is listening right now that is in an abusive relationship, what do you want them to know?
  That NOW is the time. It’s the time to start thinking about protecting ytheirself and ytheir children who depend on you for safety. If you would like to talk with a counselor or would like to learn more about services that are available for you and ytheir family, please call their hotline at 1-800-642-3150

Upcoming Events

Celebrating over 30 years of providing a safe haven for abused women and their children and of raising public awareness about domestic violence. 24 hour Hotline 1-800-642-3150

12th Annual 5k Run & 1 Mile Fitness Walk
October 23, 2011
8am - Registration
9am - Event starts
Upper Gwynedd Township Facility
One Parkside Place in North Wales, PA