A call comes through the Rachel Coalition crisis response line at 5:30 pm. The woman is panic-stricken. She is using a pay phone from an area mall. She cannot talk long - she must be home for her husband at precisely 6:30 p.m. with dinner on the table. Every expectation her husband has of her is ringing in her ears. She knows she will fall short of his unrealistic expectations...again. She also knows what will follow...
HAS YOUR PARTNER EVER:
- Yelled, ridiculed, humiliated or put you down in public or private?
- Isolated you from family and friends?
- Wanted to control where you go and what you do?
- Blamed you for all the failures in the relationship?
- Locked you in or out of the house or taken your car keys?
- Taken control of all finances and denied you access to money?
- Punished or deprived your children when angry with you?
- Used alcohol, drugs or having a bad childhood as excuses for bad behavior?
- Pushed, slapped, kicked or thrown objects at you?
- Forced you to have sex or to perform unwanted sexual acts?
DO YOU WORRY ABOUT:
- Your partner's moods and temper?
- Your own and your children's safety?
- Your partner's financial control limiting your choices?
- Feeling like you are walking on egg shells?
The devastating issue of domestic violence has recently risen to the forefront. But many people still believe it does not happen, particularly in suburban households. That is a myth. Domestic Violence crosses all cultural, socio-economic and racial lines.
Recognizing that a comprehensive response was necessary, the Rachel Coalition was founded by the MetroWest Jewish community in January, 1997 to provide services for victims of domestic violence.
