WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY...

“Things in my life were pretty screwed up, and when my parents told me I was going to see a counselor, I wanted to tell them to shove it. Working with Nic Hoeger was completely different than what I thought. He actually got it. He helped me figure some stuff out too. Now my life feels a little less out of control, and things are really looking up. Thanks Nic!"

—Anonymous

Domestic Violence


Domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other. Partners may be married or not married; living together, separated or dating. Examples of abuse include:

• name-calling or putdowns
• keeping a partner from contacting their family or friends
• withholding money
• stopping a partner from getting or keeping a job
• actual or threatened physical harm
• sexual assault
• stalking
• intimidation

Violence can be criminal and includes physical assault (hitting, pushing, shoving, etc.), sexual abuse (unwanted or forced sexual activity), and stalking. Although emotional, psychological and financial abuse are not criminal behaviors, they are forms of abuse and can lead to criminal violence.

The violence takes many forms and can happen all the time or once in a while. An important step to help yourself or someone you know in preventing or stopping violence is recognizing the warning signs.
ANYONE CAN BE A VICTIM! Victims can be of any age, sex, race, culture, religion, education, employment or marital status. Although both men and women can be abused, most victims are women. Children in homes where there is domestic violence are more likely to be abused and/or neglected. Most children in these homes know about the violence. Even if a child is not physically harmed, they may have emotional and behavior problems.

If you are being abused, REMEMBER

• You are not alone
• It is not your fault
• Help is available

Bright Future Foundation (http://www.brightfuturefoundation-ec.org/) – Local organization whose mission is to empower individuals and families to lead safe, productive lives through advocacy, crisis intervention, and mentoring.

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence - dedicated to the empowerment of battered women and their children and therefore is committed to the elimination of personal and societal violence in the lives of battered women and their children. (http://www.ncadv.org/)

Toolkit To End Violence Against Women - To provide concrete guidance to communities, policy leaders, and individuals engaged in activities to end violence against women, by the National Advisory Council on Violence Against Women. (http://toolkit.ncjrs.org/)

Anger and Violence in Contemporary Society, by Dr. Randy Simmonds, Clinical Director and Counselor at the Samaritan Counseling Center - (http://samaritan-vail.org/index.php/vail-counseling/resources/anger-and-violence-in-contemporary-society/)