Backgrounder
Every day, somewhere in Maryland, a woman is forced to flee her home to protect the lives of herself and her children. She has to walk away from everything that's familiar, be prepared for the legal ramifications, be strong for her kids and somehow start a new life while looking over her shoulder the whole time. That takes real courage and determination and it also takes a huge toll on a person's energy and reserve. At House of Ruth Maryland, we believe no woman or child should be forced to take that walk alone.
Since 1977, House Of Ruth Maryland has been the one, clear voice for victims of domestic violence in this community. We ensure that victim's needs are heard in Annapolis, that justice is handed out in the courts and that the support services necessary to rebuild lives are available to all women and children in need. Domestic violence destroys families and, in the process, tears apart the very fabric of our communities. By supporting House Of Ruth Maryland, the public can step up and speak out for the thousands of local women and children who can't.
Each Year, More Than 500 Women And Children Find Safety At House Of Ruth.
House Of Ruth provides a safe refuge where women can escape the violence and find the support they need to begin rebuilding their lives. Our emergency shelter and six transitional apartments house up to 84 women and children each day. While in shelter, women receive the following services regardless of their ability to pay:
- Emergency housing and meals
- A wellness program, including health care and counseling
- Child care
- Advocacy to meet legal, housing, and employment needs
- Parenting support and job trainingSafety planning
Our Crisis Hotline Operates 24 Hours A Day.
House Of Ruth Domestic Violence Hotline provides counseling and referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days-a-week to battered women, children, abusers and concerned family members and friends. All calls are confidential and callers are not required to provide their name. Dial (410) 889-RUTH (7884), TTY: (410) 889-0047.
We Offer Counseling To Victims Regardless Of Whether They're Residents At The Shelter.
Most victims of domestic violence have been systematically brainwashed to believe that the abuse is somehow their fault. Many struggle with feelings of shame and almost all feel if only they were smarter, better, prettier - the abuse would stop. By combining both individual and group counseling, along with education about options and services, House Of Ruth's clinicians help victims through the emotional maze in order to gain both the knowledge and the strength to rebuild their lives. For more information, the public may call (410) 889-RUTH. All fees are based on ability to pay.
Therapy And Education Can Help Break The Cycle Of Violence. That's Why We Make Them Available To Children And Teens.
In a household wracked with violence, it's rare to find a child who has been left unscathed. Seventy-five percent of the time, they've been physically, sexually, or verbally abused themselves -which also puts them at risk of becoming the next generation of abusers and victims. In an effort to break that cycle, we offer counseling and safety planning to all children in shelter. We also conduct a teen domestic violence program that teaches middle and high school students how to develop healthy dating relationships, and educates parents and school personnel on the issues related to teen dating violence related to teen dating violence.
Our Legal Clinic Works To Ensure That Women Who Have Been Victimized By Their Partners Aren't Also Victimized By The System.
Legal representation is the greatest unmet need confronting victims in Maryland. House of Ruth's staff attorneys provide legal representation to help women obtain protective orders, divorce decrees, custody of their children, child support, and spousal support. Legal advocates advise women on the intricacies of filing criminal charges, as well as accompanying them through the court proceedings. More than 3,000 women are served annually from House of Ruth's courthouse offices in four counties and Baltimore City. To help meet the growing demand, over 100 pro bono attorneys throughout Maryland have been trained and given technical support to prepare them for providing legal representation to battered women across the state.
Attitudes Can Be Just As Deadly As Fists.
Community education is the key to changing the social attitudes and behaviors which perpetuate male violence against women. To that end, House Of Ruth Maryland provides professional training to health and human service providers, criminal justice personnel and corporate managers on the dynamics and effects of domestic violence and teaches them ways they can help. House Of Ruth also works to educate the broader community through presentations by our Speakers' Bureau and our in-house library of educational resources.
Advocacy Has Proven To Be A Powerful Weapon Against Violence.
For more than 30 years, House Of Ruth Maryland has advocated for the rights of women and children. In spite of the victories along the way, there's still much that needs to be done. New laws need to be enacted to provide greater protection for victims and their children. Existing laws need to be better enforced. Police and other criminal justice personnel need training and specialized units. Courts need to treat domestic violence as a serious crime; it should be made a primary factor in determining child custody and visitation rights. The medical community needs to be educated to help identify and assist victims. And resources and community support should be made available for women trying to protect themselves and their children. Achieving these changes has been at the forefront of our fight against domestic violence. We won't stop until the violence does.
Each Year, More Than 600 Men Are Court Ordered To Attend The Abuser's Intervention Program At House Of Ruth.
Batterers believe they have the right to control their partners and children through whatever means is necessary. If they cannot maintain control any other way, they will then resort to violence. Batterers are able to sustain their belief system by denying and minimizing their behavior, escalating use of abusive tactics, and blaming their wives and girlfriends. Our Abuser's Intervention Program is a 22-week program structured to systematically challenge those belief systems. Each year, over 600 men are court ordered to attend this program at House Of Ruth Maryland.
