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1. What is domestic violence (DV)?

Domestic abuse is a pattern of controlling and coercive behavior which can involve physical, sexual, economic, emotional, and/or psychological abuse. It affects people who are married, divorced, living together, dating, and/or have a familial relationship of some kind. They can be from any socio-economic, religious, or ethnic background. Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence but women are more likely to be victims of abuse.

2. What services are available?

The Town of Hamburg Domestic Violence Office offers services to the town's residents dealing with issues of abuse which can happen to anyone, at any time, regardless of one's age, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

If you or someone you know is being abused, we can help. Open Monday through Friday, the office provides various types of advocacy, resource/referrals, safety planning, and crisis intervention.

Services are free and confidential: available to all within the Town of Hamburg.

Please call the office directly at 716-926-0057 for more information or to set up an appointment time to speak with the advocate, Jennifer, Director of the Office. (Accommodations can be made to suit clients' scheduling needs).

3. What can the Police do?

It is important to tell the police all you can about what happened and let them know if it has happened before. You should also let them know if you are afraid for your safety or have any injuries, even if they aren't readily visible.

The Police can also assist in transporting you to an emergency shelter.

The Police can file a DIR (domestic incident report) for incidents of abuse that have occurred. They can also potentially file charges if it has been deemed that a chargeable offense has occurred. A request for an order of protection can accompany charges that are filed in criminal court (or you can pursue an order of protection civilly through family court in some circumstances).

Town of Hamburg Police: 911 or 716-648-5111 (non emergency)

4. How do I know if I am being or have been abused?

Sometimes, people are not sure if they are victims of domestic abuse. Maybe you aren't sure. Perhaps you haven't been seriously injured-maybe your partner hasn't hit you at all. Domestic abuse is about more than physical violence. If your partner does things that make you afraid and that isolate you from friends or family members, you may be a victim of abuse. The following checklist can help you determine if you or someone you know is abused.

• Has your partner ever pushed, hit, kick, bite or thrown things at you, or threatened to hurt you?
• Does your partner constantly question you, your decisions, or put you down?
• Has your partner ever gotten drunk/high and used it as an excuse for unwanted sex, to hurt you or humiliate you?
• Do you feel like it's easier to just go along with what your partner wants rather than make your own choices for fear of the consequences?
• Have you stopped seeing your friends or family to avoid your partner's jealousy?
• Do you watch what you say to avoid possible confrontation and/or your partner's disapproval?
• Constantly criticize you and your abilities as a wife, partner, mother or employee?
• Behave in an overprotective way and become extremely jealous?
• Threaten to hurt you, your children, pets, family members, friends or his/herself?
• Get suddenly angry or lose his/her temper?
• Destroy personal property?
• Deny access to family resources like the car, bank accounts, credit cards or control finances and force you to account for what is spent?
• Intimidate or manipulated you or your children?
• Prevent you from going where you want to, when you want to?
• Make you have sex that makes you uncomfortable?
• Humiliate, put you down or embarrass you in front of others?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may be in an abusive relationship. You're not alone and there is help available. Contact the Town of Hamburg Domestic Violence Office at 716-926-0057.