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When working with someone who is experiencing violence, organizations greatly benefit from connecting with other programs that are designed to specifically support victims/survivors of violence - their resources will supplement your own organization’s work. Establishing these connections can be part of the work of your collaboration. As preparation for working with women who have experienced violence and abuse, it will be important to:

  • make connections with various organizations in your area to learn about their specialties,
  • educate local organizations about the potential assistance you may be looking for and about any accessibility concerns you may have,
  • help start a self-advocacy group,
  • outreach to the community.

Preparation and relationship building will be vital to making a successful referral in the future. When you have worked with the various organizations in your community, the transition for your client will be smoother and safer.

Potential Partners

Initially, your organization should brainstorm any potential referrals you may need. Your list might include:

  • drop in centers
  • support groups
  • counseling centers
  • emergency and longer-term shelters
  • temporary housing facilities
  • independent living centers
  • legal advocates
  • family violence centers
  • rape crisis centers
  • childcare centers
  • law enforcement connections
  • local social security office
  • hospitals and clinics
  • local immigration office
  • food banks and soup kitchens
  • any other supports your community may have in place for people who have experienced violence and abuse
  • any other supports your community may have in place for people who have a disability or who are Deaf

Once a list of such organizations is in place, make connections with those organizations. Make sure you have connections to a number of people in the organization, to maintain consistency if someone leaves. To get started building this relationship, you could:

  • request an introductory meeting
  • attend their meetings to learn more about their work and invite them to do the same
  • tour their facility
  • have an open house at your facility
  • schedule a series of conference calls or meetings between key stakeholders in the community to discuss a coordinated response
  • prepare a training on issues of accessibility and disability for other organizations 

Forming a collaboration with organizations in your community who are interested in improving services for women with disabilities and Deaf women who have experienced violence is necessary to making change in your community. To learn more about collaborations, go to Strengthening Your Collaboration.