The Women’s Freedom Center is the local organization working to end domestic and sexual violence in Windham and Southern Windsor Counties. We are a feminist organization committed to offering support and advocacy to all survivors of violence, as well as prevention and educational activities to help create a community in which violence is not tolerated.
24hr Hotlines:
Windham County: 802-254-6954
Southern Windsor County: 802-885-2050
Our hotline is confidential and can be called 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may also reach us toll-free at 1-800-773-0689. After 4:00 PM on weekdays and all hours on weekends, crisis calls go directly to our answering service; calls are then passed on to an advocate who will return them right away.
We have Language Line Services if an interpreter is needed and use Vermont Relay for Deaf and/or hard-of-hearing survivors.
Shelter
The shelter is a safe, confidential emergency space for survivors and their children fleeing violence.
Safety Planning
We offer individualized safety planning based on our belief that survivors are the experts in their own lives. We support what survivors feel is right for them, whether they are in, leaving, or have left an abusive relationship.
Systems Advocacy
We are able to provide support to survivors in various areas: we meet them at the hospital when they’ve been sexually and/or physically assaulted; we accompany them to Family Court and provide support around Relief From Abuse orders; we offer welfare advocacy and housing assistance, and we are there to help survivors and their children figure out their best options and navigate all of the community’s resources that are available to them.
Youth Outreach
We work with K-12 levels in schools in Windham and Southern Windsor Counties and present on various topics, including healthy relationships, consent, gender socialization, dating violence, violence against women, sexual assault, and the media’s impact on youth. We also run several groups for girls at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. These groups can take on different forms – focusing on identity, self-esteem, women’s issues, pressures students face, and being a peer advocate. Additionally, we collaborate with other community organizations working with youth and are available to present to these groups on our work.
Community Education
We are available to do a variety of educational workshops and presentations that help to create dialogue and learning around the root causes of violence against women and the complex issues surrounding domestic and sexual abuse. Workshop topics include bystander intervention, “rape culture,” sexual assault on the college campus, patriarchy, media literacy, and consent. In addition to workshops and presentations, we facilitate training with area police departments, court personnel, healthcare professionals, and employers to build knowledge and sensitivity around domestic and sexual violence.
We host enriching, powerful events throughout the year to build awareness, involve the broader community, and give voice and action to women’s freedom. Events help us to creatively push the rampant and too-often silenced problem of domestic and sexual violence into the public discourse so that we can work together to make lasting change.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Women’s Freedom Center does not discriminate against any service user, employee, volunteer, or board member on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected under federal law. This policy extends to all personnel decisions, terms and conditions of employment, and provision of services. The Women’s Freedom Center does not tolerate harassment for any reason. Respect for the dignity of others shall be the guiding principle for our relations with each other.