We know young parents are capable of being amazing parents. We also know that there is a need for support for young parents. Every Tuesday night, @STEPSboston hosts live twitter chats for young mothers and fathers. During these chats, we talk about important topics and issues that affect our lives. We bring in specialists and professionals who can answer questions and provide helpful resources. At the same time, young parents connect with other young parents who know what it’s like to feel the stigma and struggle.
Yesterday night, we talked about Domestic Violence in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Our guest was Mardi Chadwick, Director of Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs at the Center for Community Health and Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. We started the topic on Chris Brown and Rihanna and the way the media portrays domestic violence. As a community, we know that domestic violence is unacceptable but we commonly see “excuses” being made and “justifications” for some abusers’ actions.
Click here to read the entire chat!
Facing domestic violence is tough and the one important thing to remember is that everyone deserves to be and feel safe. If you or someone you know is in need of help, there are resources available to you.
The following information is from the Passageway’s website. Please visit their site for more information.
Domestic abuse is a pattern of behavior in which a partner or former partner tries to control your thoughts, beliefs, or actions, and may include emotional, spiritual, physical, sexual, and/or economic abuse. Domestic abuse is linked to many common health conditions, including anxiety and depression, physical injuries, chronic pain, gynecological disorders, stomach problems, heart disease, migraines/headaches, and pregnancy complications.
Signs of Abuse
Does your partner:
- Blame you for everything that goes wrong?
- Make you feel afraid?
- Tell you that you are “crazy” or “worthless”?
- Prevent you from talking to friends or family?
- Prevent you from keeping appointments?
- Hit, shove, punch, kick, choke, pull your hair, or restrain you?
- Hurt or threaten you?
- Force you to have sex against your will?
- Take your money or not let you spend your money?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be in an abusive relationship. We can help.
Getting Help
Passageway works with people from all walks of life, representing a diverse population of survivors. We offer direct services in English and Spanish and use interpreters for other languages.
If you are being abused, there is caring support available to you. If you have any concerns about safety in your relationship, call us.
Passageway Contact Numbers
Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 5pm (all locations)
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
(617) 732-8753
Faulkner Hospital
(617) 983-7854
Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center
(617) 983-4148
Brookside Community Health Center
(617) 983-6024
Whittier Street Health Center
(617) 989-3027
Mission Hill Community
(857) 225-6559
To page an advocate, call (617) 732-6660, beeper #31808. After hours, call the pager number and ask to speak to the Emergency Department/on-call social worker.
Other Important Numbers and Websites
Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Main Line)
(617) 732-5500 or 1-800-722-5520
BWH Security
(617) 732-6565
BWH Social Workers
(617) 732-6469
BWH Women’s GYN Clinic
(617) 732-4806 or pager #18559
Domestic Violence SafeLink
1-877-785-2020 (24-hour hotline)
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
TDD 1-800-787-3224
Partners Employee Assistance Program
(617) 732-6017 http://www.eap.partners.org
HAVEN at MGH
(617) 724-0054 http://www.havenatmgh.org
Jane Doe, Inc. http://www.janedoe.org
Futures Without Violence http://www.futureswithoutviolence.org
Stronger Generations Initiative 