Help Restore Hope Center

10/16/2026

Welcome to Week #2 of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. During the month of October Liberty Resources and community organizations will be working together to raise awareness about the experiences of domestic violence survivors. You will see purple silhouettes displayed at different community organizations with quotes from survivors in our county. This silhouette project is our way of showing survivors they are not alone, and we stand with them. It’s important as a community that we shine a light on domestic violence and show survivors they have our support. The silhouettes are being hosted by several organizations this week and I’ve attached pictures of the silhouettes at the Catholic Charities, Norwich Housing Authority, Deja Brew, Family Planning, Norwich Police Department, and Chenango Historical Society.

If you or someone you know needs help because of domestic violence or sexual assault, please reach out to our hotline at 1-855-966-9723 to speak with an advocate. We can discuss with you your options, resources, and ways we can support you through the process.

National Wear Purple day is Thursday, October 15, 2026. Help us raise awareness for domestic violence by joining us in wearing purple on October 15.

Why Individuals Remain in a Domestic Violence Relationship

Abusive relationships are complex situations with various dynamics that often keep a survivor feeling stuck in the relationship. A common misconception is that if someone were truly being harmed, they would "just leave". Friends and family members may not understand, or even get frustrated trying to help, after the survivor goes back or stays in the relationship asking disclosing the nature of their situation. We understand that leaving is far more complicated than it seems, and on average, it takes survivors around seven attempts to be able to leave the relationship permanently. It's important to understand why someone may be staying in an unsafe situation, so we can identify how to best support and empower someone to overcome these barriers. For instance, we know leaving is statistically the most dangerous time for a victim of abuse because they are threatening the abusive partner's power and control. Proper measures must first be taken to alleviate the survivor's fear and ensure their safety when leaving the relationship.

Here are ten more reasons many survivors may stay in an abusive relationship or situation.

1) Normalized Abuse

2) Shame or Embarrassment

3) Intimidation and Threats

4) Low Self-Esteem

5) Lack of Accessible Resources or Supports

6) Disability Causing Increased Dependence

7) Immigration Status and/or Language Barriers

8) Cultural Context, Customs, and Beliefs

9) Children In Common

10) Love and/or Desire to Fix Situation

Below are a few websites with additional information about Domestic Violence.

Liberty Resources website: https://www.liberty-resources.org/hrhc/

New York State Office of Prevention Against Domestic Violence: https://opdv.ny.gov/survivors-victims
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence Support | National Domestic Violence Hotline

Confidential support 24/7, available in most languages. Call 800-942-6906 or Text 844-997-2121.

10/16/2026

Thank you, Norwich Police Department, for hosting a Domestic Violence Silhouette.

The City of Norwich Police Department is dedicated to the Protection and Safety of All Norwich Residents and Visitors. We are a full-service department with highly skilled officers - including a detective division. Officers patrol the downtown portion of the city on foot and bicycle, as well as by car, and they are often assigned to special duty during the numerous parades and festivals that are part of life in Norwich.

10/16/2026

Thank you Norwich Housing Authority for hosting a Domestic Violence Silhouette.

The Norwich Housing Authority provides housing assistance to low income families through the Section 8 and Public Housing programs.

10/16/2026

Thank you Family Planning, for hosting a Domestic Violence Silhouette.

Our mission is to advocate and provide individuals, families and organizations in our region with information, education and health care services pertaining to human sexuality and reproductive health in a private and confidential manner, respectful of all beliefs, supporting individual freedom of choice and responsibility.

10/16/2026

Thank you, Deja Brew, for hosting A Domestic Violence Silhouette.

Deja Brew is a locally owned coffee shop known for its friendly service and comfortable atmosphere. Customers praise the great coffee and especially the delicious Long Island bagels, which are considered the best in town. The bagels with cream cheese and locks are highly recommended. The shop is a popular spot for breakfast, brunch, studying, or meeting friends. Staff members are friendly, efficient, and make customers feel welcome. Overall, Deja Brew offers quality food, a nice environment, and excellent service that exceeds high food standards.

10/16/2026

Chenango Historical Society
Thank you for hosting a Domestic Violence Silhouette.

The mission of CCHS is to explore the culture of Chenango County – its unique traditions and noteworthy stories – through the preservation and presentation of our local heritage.

10/16/2026

Catholic Charities of Chenango County
Thank you for hosting a Domestic Violence Silhouette.

As a leading social services organization in Norwich, this entity excels in providing comprehensive support solutions tailored to diverse community needs. With a focus on enhancing well-being, their expertise encompasses critical areas such as mental health services, housing assistance, and family counseling.
By leveraging a network of skilled professionals, they foster resilience and empower individuals to achieve sustainable life changes. Their commitment to exceptional service delivery is evident in their strategic partnerships and community outreach programs, ensuring that quality assistance is accessible to all. This organization stands as a beacon of hope, driving impactful change and reinforcing social equity in the region.

10/16/2026

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. During the month of October Liberty Resources and community organizations will be working together to raise awareness about the experiences of domestic violence survivors. You will see purple silhouettes displayed at different community organizations with quotes from survivors in our county. This silhouette project is our way of showing survivors they are not alone, and that we stand with them. It’s important as a community that we shine a light on domestic violence and show survivors they have our support. The silhouettes are being hosted by several organizations this week and I’ve attached pictures of the silhouettes at the Catholic Charities, Norwich Housing Authority, Deja Brew, Family Planning, Norwich Police Department, and Chenango Historical Society. I have also attached the HRHC rack card with our toll free 24/7 hotline and a power and control wheel.

If you or someone you know needs help because of domestic violence or sexual assault, please reach out to our hotline at 1-855-966-9723 to speak with an advocate. We can discuss with you your options, resources, and ways we can support you through the process.

What is Domestic Violence?

· Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically; however, the one constant component of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other.

· Domestic violence is violent or aggressive behavior within the home or relationship, typically involving physical, emotional or verbal violence towards a partner, children or family member. You can experience DV in your relationship with a parent, sibling, intimate partner, and/or roommate.

· Domestic Violence is rarely an isolated incident. Abusers use a series of tactics to maintain control. A person does not have to experience physical violence for there to be abusive power and control in a relationship.

· The Power and Control wheel (attached) illustrates how abuse is cyclical.

· There are periods of time where things may be calmer, but those times are followed by a buildup of tension and abuse, which usually results in the abuser peaking with intensified abuse.

· The cycle then often starts to repeat, commonly becoming more and more intense as time goes on. Abusers will often make you feel what is happening is your fault, and that nobody will believe you if you reach out for help.

· Each relationship is different and not every relationship follows the exact pattern. Some abusers may cycle rapidly; others over a longer stretch of time. Regardless, abusers purposefully use numerous tactics of abuse to instill fear in the victim and maintain control over them.

10/14/2026

Victim and survivor experiences consistently show that leaving an abusive relationship is often not a single decision, but a process that requires careful planning, resources and support.
By changing the question from "Why didn't they leave?" to "What barriers are they facing?" we can foster greater understanding and create more survivor-centered responses.
Everyone deserves safety, support, and the ability to make decisions that are right for their unique circumstances.
50 Obstacles to Leaving: https://bit.ly/3BNIE2i

10/13/2026

💜 October is Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month! 💜
This month, we raise awareness about the impact of domestic and intimate partner violence, stand in solidarity with survivors, and recognize the importance of education, prevention, and support. Every survivor’s experience is unique, and everyone deserves to be heard, believed, and supported without judgment. Leaving or seeking help can be a complex and deeply personal process, and no one should have to navigate it alone.
At Help Restore Hope Center, we believe survivors deserve safety, dignity, and the freedom to make their own choices. Together, we can break the silence, empower survivors, and work toward a future free from abuse and violence. 💜
You are not alone. We believe you. We are here to support you.