We Believe
That violence is a learned behavior and that when it manifests itself between individuals, or within the family sstructure, the victims are likely to be women and children. We believe that empowerment is the most effective way to help those seeking our services.

To that end, our mission is to provide accurate and practical information in a safe and supportive environment while affirming the client's ability and right to make her own choices, and to promote violence-free relationships and communities through collaboration, public infomiation, education, and advocacy.

Our Response
To the increasing demand for support services to victims and survivors is to provide shelter, crisis intervention, advocacy, and community education.

Transitional Shelter
Interacts residential facility is a comprehensive support program designed to help battered women and their children move toward violence-free lifestyles. Trained counselors provide: advocacy, goal-directed counseling, and specialized chiIdren's services. The staff's efforts are augmented by a team of over twenty-five volunteers who work with the residents to help them overcome the consequences of abuse. Annually, the Interact shelter serves over 100 families.

Crisis Intervention
Interact provides crisis intervention to anyone who has experienced sexual assault or domestic abuse, Our services include: 24 hour crisis counseling, court advocacy, peer support groups, and information and referral. Last year alone, our professioral staff and named volunteers served over 3000 victims and survivors by responding to their need for emotional support, information, and reassurance. Additionally, Interacts crisis intervention team works closely with other resources in the Community to insure a client's total needs are appropriately met.

Community Education
Interact's speakers bureau and staff facilitate over 200 domestic violence and sexual assault presentations a year--for a host of government and human service agencies, civic and religious groups, medical and mental health practitioners. The agency also publishes Interactions, a newsletter; and makes available to the community a variety of books, films, and educational materials on the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault. Teen relationship violence is addressed through special programs in public school settings and other youth forums.