D.V.O.T.

The Manchester Police Department and Interval House, Inc., a domestic violence program and shelter for battered women and their children have combined resources through a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Justice. The grant provides for the creation of a DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OUTREACH TEAM, composed of one Manchester police officer and one civilian Law Enforcement advocate from the Interval House. Officer Jim Moore and Penni Micca* comprise the team.

Mission Statement

The DVOT will emphasize "zero tolerance" of domestic violence. They will attempt to identify and resolve the issues surrounding domestic violence while increasing community awareness and understanding. They will address immediate and long term needs of the individual, family, and community, focusing on the consequences of family violence.

*Confidentiality is available.

D.V.O.T. Services

• Case investigation and management

• Information about Protective Orders

• Assistance with Restraining Orders

• Advocacy

• Support

• Access to resources and service providers

• Information about options, rights, services and shelter

• Support services for the victim and family

• Community education to increase community awareness and knowledge about domestic violence

• DVOT is available for public speaking and education - Call for more information

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is abusive behavior that one person in a relationship uses to control the other. It usually occurs between people who have or have had an intimate relationship, but also includes adult family members. It takes many forms and includes threats, name calling, isolation, withholding money, actual or threatened physical harm and sexual assault.

Domestic violence occurs in all communities, without respect to race, income, or education. Men or women can be batterers, however, in 95% of the cases, the offender is male and the victim is female (according to the Bureau of Justice statistics). Domestic violence also occurs in lesbian and gay relationship. Studies show that at least 50% of all women will experience domestic violence in their lives.

Young women are not immune: Domestic violence amongst teenagers is increasing. As many as four million women in this country suffer some kind of violence at the hands of their husbands or boyfriends each year. This page will refer to victims as female and abusers as male. In any case, every victim of domestic violence, regardless of gender or sexual orientation has the right to live without fear.

Don't Ignore the Problem!

Talk to someone. Victims are often ashamed to let anyone know about intimate family problems. Domestic violence is particularly devastating when the victim lives with the abuser, continuing the cycle of power and control over her life, happiness and well being.

Break the Cycle of Violence!

No one has the right to abuse you. There is no such thing as a beating or abuse that is deserved. It is not your fault. Nothing you do caused the abuse. Do not make excuses for the abusive behavior.

Reach Out!

Help is available. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger. Call the DVOT or the 24-hour Interval House Hotline (860) 527-0550.

You are not alone!

Remember!

Domestic violence is not confined to physical abuse. It includes verbal, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse. The common element in abusive relationships is the use of fear and intimidation by one person in an attempt to control the other. This kind of abuse is not physically harmful, but it is destructive to a woman who lives with it day in and day out, eventually eroding her self-esteem and self-confidence. Studies have shown that violence in relationships usually escalates.

Are You Abused? Does the Person You Love...

• Track all of your time? Get angry when you return minutes late?

• Constantly accuse you of being unfaithful?

• Discourage your relationships with family and friends?

• Call you names, use sexist humor, or threaten to leave?

• Prevent you from working or attending group meetings or school?

• Criticize you for little things?

• Anger easily when drinking alcohol or taking drugs?

• Control all the finances and force you to account in detail for what you spend?

• Humiliate you in public?

• Destroy personal property or sentimental items?

• Hit, punch, slap, kick, or bite you or the children?

• Use or threaten to use a weapon against you?

• Threaten to hurt you or the children?

• Force you to engage in sex against your will?

Seek Assistance!

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to "fix" things, nothing seems to work. This can be so confusing and frustrating that we have difficulty sorting and understanding exactly what is happening. If you answer "yes" to even a few of these questions, it is time to get help!

Congratulations!

You have just taken the first step toward creating a safe home for yourself and your children by reading this page. The next step is to seek the assistance of the resources listed blow, or to contact your own list of resources.

Help is Available!

For more information, contact:

D.V.O.T., 239 East Middle Turnpike, P.O. Box 191, Manchester, CT 06045-0191
TEL: (860) 643-3334
FAX: (860) 643-2939