The Outreach Services Department is divided into three specialized components: Advocacy, Children and Therapy. These services are provided at Women In Distress' Jim & Jan Moran Family Center and at satellite office locations in Plantation and Coconut Creek, as well as community partner agencies such as the Broward County Courthouse, Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center, Hallandale Police Department, Family Success Center, Gay and Lesbian Community Center, Broward County Jail Facility and Spectrum Programs, among others.

Women In Distress Participants voluntarily choose the services they wish to receive. In addition, children are assessed for abuse and basic needs within 72 hours of their arrival at the shelter and when children’s services are sought at the Family Center. With parental permission, we offer children’s counseling to children ages 4-17. Whether or not these children are the targets of physical violence, they may be traumatized by their experiences and observations, which can result in a wide variety of emotional and behavioral problems. Women In Distress also provides free respite care which provides safe supervision to the children of those receiving services.

Outreach to Men

Domestic violence cuts across all boundaries--class, wealth, race, and in particular, gender. Unfortunately, the history of the anti-domestic violence movement has meant that women have been recognized as victims long before men. As a result, there are still very few services in the domestic violence community designed specifically for men as victims.

At Women In Distress, we are changing that. In 2009, we saw a significant increase in male survivors seeking services and as a result, we provide support groups and other services for men who are survivors of dating violence or domestic abuse. It allows a safe space for men to talk openly and without judgment about their unique experiences, so that they can better understand their situations and find the tools necessary to positively impact their future.