Alternatives for Battered Women is a nonprofit organization that serves the Rochester community by providing shelter and services for women and their children from the domestic violence of abusive partners. Including: A 24-hour hotline, providing access to the shelter, information, referrals and counseling. A 38-bed emergency shelter for women and children (both boys and girls, up to age 18).
Residents receive safe housing, counseling and education, information, access to multiple support groups, assistance and planning for the family’s future housing needs, and legal information. Walk-in counseling. Short-term counseling is available in an emergency. Family programs are available for children and their mothers residing in the shelter, including counseling (both group and individual), information, referrals, social and recreational activities.
Transitional Support Services includes our non-residential programs, and include small group counseling sessions, topic-focused groups, open community support groups such as "SAFER" (Survivors Advocating For Effective Reform), and individual counseling. Court Advocacy program provides assistance at the Hall of Justice, assisting women as they navigate the legal system for such issues as obtaining an Order of Protection, work out child custody issues, or file charges against a batterer in criminal court.
Our Education and Prevention program reaches out to students in middle and high schools and college, to help them learn how to form healthy relationships, and identifying abusive behaviors. This program also provides short-term education in area high schools for students deemed to be high-risk. A Speaker’s Bureau that offers individualized presentations to community groups, professionals and others, about domestic violence and agency services.
2 A shocking statistic from their site: each year they respond to six to seven thousand calls to their hotline.