#ThisIsDVJFS Campaign

JFS is raising awareness about the many forms of Domestic Violence.

Recognizing domestic violence is critical if we are to take action to address and prevent it. If we want to have an impact on responding to the issue we must be able to recognize and define all types of domestic violence.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of intentionally violent and/or controlling behavior used against a family member or a dating/intimate partner to gain power and control over that person, during and/or after the relationship. It is also known as family violence, intimate partner violence, or dating violence.

Domestic Violence does not always end in physical violence. Abuse can be emotional and/or psychological and in today’s society it can easily be viral via technology.

Warning Signs

Power and control can start subtle:

• slowly suggesting that the family spend less and less time with one partner’s extended family
• introducing a new family “budget” and then slowly taking control over all financial decisions, bank accounts and access to money
• a pattern of put-downs, name calling and emotional manipulation that affects one’s self worth and mental health
• subtle threats of what life might be like if someone were to leave the relationship, including threats to keep a partner away from their children, to control their access to money, and to spread rumors or damage their reputation in the community

JFS Can Help

At JFS we work directly with many domestic abuse survivors, ensuring their immediate physical and emotional needs are met.  We offer a comprehensive and collaborative approach to caring for survivors, including ongoing counseling as well as case management services and guidance.  We assist survivors in relocating to safe environments and provide educational opportunities to help a survivor become self-sufficient.

Our clinicians are licensed clinical social workers that have training in trauma informed care and have gone through the Advocate training from the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence.