"As pastors of the Catholic Church in the United States, we state as clearly and strongly as we can that violence against women, inside or outside the home, is never justified. Violence in any form—physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal—is sinful; often, it is a crime as well.”

—U.S. Catholic Bishops, When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women


http://www.shms.edu/aodonline-sqlimages/domesticviolence/brochure.pdf
link to Archdiocese brochure on domestic violence help

WAYNE COUNTY

First Step (help with safety plans, shelter and counseling)

(734) 459-5900 (24 hour helpline)

www.firststep-mi.org

Shelter Services 24-Hour Help Line

Information & Referrals Advocacy

Children’s Support & Programs

Community Education
 

For Women Who Are Abused:

• Begin to believe that you are not alone and that help is available for you and your children.
• Talk in confidence to someone you trust: a relative, friend, parish priest, deacon, religious sister or brother, or lay minister.
• If you choose to stay in the situation, at least for now, set up a plan of action to ensure your safety. This includes hiding a car key, personal documents, and some money in a safe place and locating somewhere to go in an emergency.
• Find out about resources in your area that offer help to battered women and their children. The phone book lists numbers to call in your local area. Your diocesan Catholic Charities office or family life office can help. Catholic Charities often has qualified counselors on staff and can provide emergency assistance and other kinds of help.
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides crisis intervention and referrals to local service providers. Call 800-799-SAFE (7233) or 800-787-3224 (TTY). E-mail assistance is available at ndvh@ndvh.org. In some communities, cell phones programmed to 911 are made available to abused women.