Daybreak’s violence prevention services provide education for youth, teens and adults in central Massachusetts. Our violence prevention services educate the community by equipping individuals with the skills to resist violence/abuse and promote non-violent interaction. All workshops and programs can be tailored to fit the specific needs of an audience.

 Bullying/Sexual Harassment Programs
 These workshops are designed to empower children to overcome bullying and harassment. Workshops use group discussion, role plays, and videos to help children recognize the signs and effects of bullying and harassment as well as pathways to seek help.

Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Project
Designed to prevent child sexual assault, CAP utilizes a three-fold approach with teachers, parents and children to prevent child abuse. Teachers and parents are given the tools to increase awareness and identify abuse indicators. Children learn strategies to protect themselves and stay safe, strong & free.

Girls Circle
Girls Circle is a research-based model that increases at-risk teen girls’ self-esteem and interpersonal relationships. The 8-10 week program focuses relationships with peers and adults.

Girls Promoting Safety (GPS)
GPS is a strength-based violence prevention education program that uses evidence-based curricula to teach middle school girls the resiliency skills and traits needed to avoid being victims of violence and engaging in risky behaviors.

“My Close Up” Play
A dramatic performance that addresses the issue of teen dating violence, told through the eyes of a 17 year old girl. This presentation is appropriate for most middle and high school age audiences and is available for classrooms, school assemblies, after-school programs and youth group meetings. The play is followed by a facilitated discussion led by community educators.

Pre-Teen/Teen Violence Prevention Programs
Community Educators tailor a workshop or series of workshops to the needs of specific adolescent audiences. Workshops deal with all types of family violence including teen dating violence, domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and healthy relationships.

Safe Teens Anti-violence Readiness (STAR)
Educates teens on how to incorporate non-violent philosophies into their lives and provides counseling and other support services to teens affected by – or at risk of engaging in – violent partner relationships. The 8-week curriculum is complemented with one-on-one counseling as needed. Participants are referred to the program by the Worcester Juvenile Court Department.Training & Adult Programs
Understanding is key. The goal of these programs is to educate community members and professionals about the complexity of child abuse and domestic violence. Intensive training about the complex dynamics of family violence, appropriate intervention, legal recourse, and safety planning and prevention strategies is available for any group.

Coordinated Community Response Network (CCRN)
The CCRN is a network designed to supply local providers with the resources to recognize, respond, and refer individuals and families impacted by domestic violence to the appropriate services in a timely manner. CCRN brings together local organizations to develop a universal action plan that provides a consistent and standardized response to families impacted by domestic violence. CCRN members are provided key tools for victim safety and abuser accountability.

Employers Against Domestic Violence (EADV)
A comprehensive training program designed to provide employees and employers with awareness, knowledge and the necessary skills to address domestic violence issues that impact the workplace. Staff also works with businesses to establish domestic violence policies and procedures.

Worcester Intervention Network (WIN)
This program is a pro-active, follow-up service to victims involved in incidents of domestic violence. Advocates contact victims and offer advocacy, information and referrals. An advocate is on-call 24-hours a day to provide emergency intervention. WIN is collaboration between the YWCA, Worcester Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit and the Victim Witness Program of the District Attorney’s Office.

Domestic violence is one of the most misunderstood and overlooked societal concerns plaguing our community. With ten domestic violence murders (five in central Massachusetts) to date, it has been a deadly year in Massachusetts.

Highly concerned with the recent rash of intimate partner homicides, the YWCA jumped into action gathering college, law enforcement, healthcare, legislative and human resource experts together for a community forum at Fitchburg State College in February. The forum, led by Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray, was preceded by a meeting among experts on what needs to be done to increase awareness, who needs to be targeted, and how to strengthen laws.

Understanding that not one program, agency, or organization can solve the issue of domestic violence, the YWCA’s domestic violence programs utilize promising practices and a community-wide approach in identifying families at-risk and keeping families safe.

In Northern Worcester County, BWR has created the Ayer High Risk Response team, which joins local police, probation, hospital, batterer’s intervention and domestic violence advocates to identify those cases that are most dangerous using a danger assessment scale and creating a proactive response. As of February, there were 15 women on a high-risk list, and 16 on a watch list.

Daybreak’s Coordinated Community Response Network (CCRN) in Worcester connects local agencies with resources to recognize, respond and refer those impacted by domestic violence to the appropriate services with access in a timely manner. CCRN has essentially provided a systematic community response for local agencies and organizations under a universal action plan to domestic violence.

A common reaction to the recent homicides is to link these acts of domestic violence as direct results of  a down economy. It is important to point out that financial strain does not breed domestic violence, but rather it makes a problem that had already existed much worse.

Many people can easily spot transparent acts of domestic violence like being kicked, punched, etc. But the non-physical violent acts like intimidation, forced isolation, financial restraints are just as serious and not as easily identified. In some cases, they are even bigger indicators of a more dire problem.

Since non-physical acts are difficult to recognize, education and involvement is key. The YWCA Domestic Violence programs educate the public about domestic violence and promote violence prevention as well as provide a bystander intervention program for family and friends of domestic violence victims looking for resources and support.

For more information regarding the YWCA’s Domestic Violence programs, click here.

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1978
Named the Montachusett Taskforce on Battered Women, the agency was founded by twelve local businesswomen whom recognized women in abusive relationships needed a place for help.

1981
The agency adopted the name Battered Women’s Resources, Inc (BWRI).

2005
In the fall of 2005, BWRI was awarded a grant from the Verizon Foundation to complete a strategic plan. The results indicated the need to strengthen and expand critical programs available to victims of domestic violence and their families over the next five years.

2007
The Board of Directors of BWRI unanimously voted to merge with the YWCA Central Massachusetts. The Executive Director of BWRI was quoted as saying “The merger of these two agencies creates the largest women’s advocacy and resource center in central Massachusetts and brings a solid regional focus to the issues facing women and their families in the central area, including domestic violence.”

To reflect its status as a program of the YWCA Central Massachusetts, BWRI changed its name to Battered Women’s Resources (BWR), dropping the ‘I’ for incorporated.

Our Vision: BWR envisions an ideal world of nonviolence and equality where women and children live in peace.

Our Mission: BWR is dedicated to creating a community free from domestic violence through education, intervention and prevention.

Our Guiding Principles: Non-violence, integrity, respect, cooperation, perseverance and dignity for all people.

SAFEPLAN: Safety Assistance For Every Person Leaving Abuse Now
SAFEPLAN is a program of the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance which provides specially trained and certified advocates to offer court advocacy and supportive services to victims of domestic violence. Advocates accompany individuals through the court process of obtaining restraining orders, assist with safety planning and provide referrals. Advocates are stationed at Probate and District Courts.

You may contact a SAFEPLAN advocate through the Court Clerk’s office, or by calling BWR at 978-537-2306.

Ayer High-Risk Response Team
The response team is a cutting-edge community response model developed to support domestic violence victims through collaborative efforts, involving law enforcement, the courts, medical service providers and BWR staff. This team identifies domestic violence cases that could potentially lead to homicide or reassault within the six District Courts in its geographic service area.

The YWCA’s BWR Program offers violence prevention services for youth, teens and adults in northern central Massachusetts. Our violence prevention services educate the community by equipping individuals with the skills to resist violence/abuse and promote non-violent interaction.

Education
Community Educators work with community-based agencies as well as schools to offer various violence prevention programs to youth from ages 3 to 18. Programs aim to increase awareness of violence; teach skills that can protect young people from violence/abuse; work at changing attitudes about violence; provide resource information; and encourage young people to talk to a trusted adult. Community Educators also work with parents, teachers and school administrators on abuse indicators and Massachusetts’ law regarding abuse and neglect.

Training and Public Speaking
BWR provides comprehensive training on child abuse and domestic violence to professional and Para-professional groups including: medical personnel, law enforcement officials, clergy, social service professionals, and educators. Individuals also are available to speak with social and civic groups about the issue of domestic violence.

BWR is committed to working with each of our local schools to provide the best resources available to promote non-violence and healthy relationships at no charge.

Daybreak services are designed to meet the needs of women and children whose lives are affected by interpersonal violence. All services are confidential and free of charge. All services can be accessed by calling the 24-hour hotline.

24-Hour Hotline
The 24-hour hotline service provides emotional support, domestic violence advocacy, referrals to community resources, safety planning and crisis intervention. The hotline is answered by trained advocates who offer thoughtful attention. The hotline accepts collect calls.

Community Approach To Reduce Demand (CARD)
This innovative six-hour program aims to reduce recidivism by purchasers and the demand of sex for a fee. A state ordered program, CARD educates purchasers of sex for a fee and addresses the community problem of prostitution. CARD is a collaborative of the YWCA, Worcester District Court Probation Department, Worcester District Attorney and numerous community stakeholders.

Community Outreach
Local outreach is conducted at various community sites and provides access to support, advocacy, referrals, safety planning and crisis intervention.

Developing Alternatives For Women Now (DAWN)
DAWN is a intervention group targeted at women adjudicated for prostitution-related offenses. The program engages prostituted women in an eight-session cycle and provides alternatives so that women may choose to exit prostitution. DAWN is a collaborative of the YWCA, Worcester District Court Probation Department, the City of Worcester and numerous community stakeholders.

Domestic Violence Class at Department of Children & Families (DFC)
Clients who have been identified as domestic violence victims are referred to Daybreak’s domestic violence class held at DCF once a week for 4 weeks.

Emergency Shelter
The Daybreak Shelter is a safe, confidential site that is able to serve up to six families fleeing imminent danger. It is the only confidential shelter in Worcester. Staff provides support, advocacy, counseling, and individual case management. The Shelter’s goal is to stabilize the lives of women and their families and to assist them in rebuilding for the future.

Family & Friends Bystander Program
Families and friends of victims, or suspected victims, may meet with a Domestic Violence Advocate for support, resources and information about domestic violence, as well as to discuss possible interventions.

SAFEPLAN/Court Advocacy
SAFEPLAN advocates are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice, but are available at the court to assist victims of domestic violence through the restraining order process. SAFEPLAN advocates provide emotional support, explain the legal process of restraining orders and paperwork, courtroom procedure and discuss safety planning as well as referrals to ongoing support services. Referrals may be made by calling the hotline or the SAFEPLAN office directly.

Short-term Counseling
This service provides goal oriented short-term counseling to women or men allowing individuals to explore their options privately with support of a counselor. The counseling process empowers victims to evaluate their situations and plan for their safety and future. Counselors may meet with victims at a designated location or schedule sessions over the phone. This service is not therapy.

Recovery Linkage
Substance Abuse/Domestic Violence Advocates coordinate services within community substance abuse treatment sites, serving women at various levels of treatment. Domestic violence intervention, education and prevention services are linked to each site, as well as direct services including short term counseling and facilitation of psycho-educational groups.

Support Group
Referrals may be made by calling the hotline or may come in from other Daybreak service areas. Women meet with an advocate and discuss the most compatible option available to them prior to joining the support group. Childcare arrangements may be made using the YWCA respite drop-in child care program for groups held during the day.

Service Provider Consultations
Domestic Violence Advocates are available to Service Providers for domestic violence consultations and resource information.

Worcester Sheriff’s Department Support Group
Develops comprehensive domestic violence programming for female offenders identified by the Sheriff’s Department. Weekly meetings are held at the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. This is a collaboration between the YWCA, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Community Corrections.

Daybreak is the designated domestic violence service provider in the greater Worcester area. Daybreak services are designed to meet the needs of women and children whose lives are affected by interpersonal violence. Its overall mission is to foster safety within the community by:

• enabling women to break free from domestic abuse
• equipping young people with the skills to resist violence and abuse
• promoting safe, non-violent and mutually respectful interaction within families
• encouraging women to share their strength and courage with others

To achieve its mission Daybreak provides core services and community support, including: 24- hour hotline, community education, crisis intervention, emergency shelter, outreach, court advocacy, and counseling. All services are free of charge and confidential. Many services and materials are available in Spanish and Vietnamese.

Community Based Services

Community Education Programs

Community Initiatives

BWR is committed to working towards the existence of a society free from domestic violence; a society where men, women and children are safe and can live productive and healthy lives. Every day, the staff and volunteers at BWR work to end domestic violence in our communities. That means we go beyond talking about it. That means we use all our resources to keep families safe from harm, support them in their struggle to overcome the impact of domestic violence and engage our communities in prevention.

For more than 30 years BWR has been dedicated to creating a community free from domestic violence. To achieve its mission BWR provides core services and community support, including a 24- hour hotline, community education, crisis intervention, emergency shelter, outreach, court advocacy, and counseling.

Victim Services

Community Education

Partnerships

BWR: Through its History

Home should be a place of safety and refuge. For those caught in a violent home, it is a place of fear. The YWCA’s Domestic Violence programs seek to help victims rebuild their lives on a secure and stable foundation free from violence.

Education, prevention and intervention services are available throughout central Massachusetts. These services include:

• 24-hour hotline
• emergency shelter
• group & individual counseling
• court advocacy
• information & referral

YWCA Domestic Violence programs also work with area businesses, groups and organizations to provide intervention, community education and professional training programs that raise awareness about intimate partner violence and reduce its impact.