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Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition offers counseling, shelter and other emergency services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties in Pennsylvania. |
Notice
SVWIT staff and volunteers are mandated reporters. Should a child coming before us give reason to suspect they are being abused (as defined by CPS law), we are legally mandated to provide this information to Childline if no report has previously been filed.
The
Children’s Program:
Making an Investment in the Future by Healing the Pain of Today
Individual Counseling is offered to all children and adolescents (ages 4-18) who have experienced some form of domestic violence or sexual abuse. Issues addressed vary based on individual needs, but, commonly include safety planning, self-esteem, feelings identification, coping with feelings, exploration of family dynamics, and abuse dynamics. Techniques used in counseling include art projects, issue-oriented games, directed and non-directed play, role playing, journaling, and worksheets.
Groups play an important role in the healing process. Often times, abuse is a family secret. Meeting peers who have experienced similar incidents is very valuable in furthering the healing process.
Domestic violence support groups are offered to children on an ongoing basis. Topics often include domestic violence, anger management, feelings exploration, self-esteem, and many others. Activities include worksheets, art projects, games, story telling, role playing, puppet shows, etc.
Sexual assault support groups run periodically throughout the year. Issues discussed are chosen by the participating group members. Topics often include body image, healthy relationships, feelings management, and open sharing.
Hotline counseling is available to all individuals, including children and adolescents, who are seeking support, information, counseling or referrals for issues of sexual assault or domestic violence.
Court Preparation is available to all children and adolescents who must navigate the court system. We work on familiarizing the individual with the process, physical layout of the judicial facilities, and persons who may be present at the time of the proceeding. While staff cannot provide testimony, we offer accompaniment which provides support and the ability to process what occurs immediately following the experience.
Advocacy is provided as needed. We advocate for the child or adolescent with parents, schools, Children and Youth Services, and other community agencies.
Safe Living Programs are offered in the schools and well as to any interested community groups. Programs include Dating Violence, Date Rape, Sexual Harassment, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence. We also offer a specialized program (Project LISTEN) that has been developed to meet the safe living needs of children and adolescents with disabilities.
How does violence affect your child?
Domestic Violence is an issue that impacts all of us. It is extremely important, when violence occurs in a home, that all victims receive some form of support and intervention. The children are often the “forgotten” victims, even though an estimated 3.3 million children witness domestic violence in their homes each year.
The effects of exposure to such violence are far reaching.Individual children react to domestic violence differently. All of them experience many different emotions. Some of these feelings include anger, fear, guilt, shame, worthlessness, and grief. Children who witness violence also may exhibit mutiple behaviors including aggression, withdrawal, regression, nightmares,drug or alcohol use, etc.It is important that a child has the opportunity to explore these issues and develop ways to manage them.Without intervention, children from violent homes tend to become victims of abuse or batterers themselves when they reach adulthood.
Children and adolescents who are victims of sexual assault also need intervention. These individuals experience a wide range of difficulties including poor body image, lack of self-esteem, inability to trust, nightmares, and many more. Lack of intervention may lead to self-injury, mental health issues, eating disorders, boundary difficulties, inability to maintain healthy relationships, etc.
Counseling can help. A list of services available to children and adolescents follows.
Children Learn What They Live
If children live with criticism,
They learn to condemn.If children live with hostility,
They learn to fight.If children live with ridicule,
They learn to be shy.If children live with tolerance,
They learn to be Patient.If children live with praise,
They learn to appreciate.If children live with fairness,
They learn justice.If children live with security,
They learn to have faith.If children live with approval,
They learn to like themselves.If children live with acceptance and friendship,
They learn to find love in the world.
Dorothy Law Nolte
