Sharing Hope
The Retreat helped me in the darkest of times. I happened upon their doorstep very scared, anxiety-ridden, dazed, and without a clue of how to go about getting protection from my spouse. I felt as if I was all alone in the world and none of my family or friends would understand. I was embarrassed. […]
Panel Discussion At Sag Harbor Cinema Shines Spotlight On Scourge Of Domestic Violence
Nicole Behrens readily admits that it never really gets easier to share her story publicly. But she doesn’t let that stop her. On Sunday evening, in front of a group of more than 25 people on the third floor of the Sag Harbor Cinema, she spoke about the moment, more than 20 years ago, when […]
Intimate Partner Violence Awareness on Netflix: Maid
Disclaimer: minor spoilers ahead, sensitive content by Emily LeRolland Domestic violence is a topic that is often avoided in popular media, so it came as a surprise to me that Maid is currently in the top 10 on Netflix. Before watching the show, I went down the review rabbit hole and was equally surprised to […]
Panel Discussion on Domestic Violence Set for Sunday at Sag Harbor Cinema
There is perhaps no subject as taboo or difficult to talk about as intimate partner violence. Ruled by fear or shame, victims will go to great lengths to keep abuse a secret, even from a therapist or trusted friends and family members. Often, the public never knows someone is suffering — or only finds out […]
What Would You Do? How to Intervene
by Olivia Suter Every October, advocates, survivors, and supporters recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), and this year’s campaign is #Every1KnowsSome1. This campaign highlights just how common intimate partner violence (IPV) is and how it is more than just physical violence. #Every1KnowsSome1, but how can we best support them? The Retreat’s Teen Leadership Council (TLC) […]
DV is the Leading Cause of Homelessness Among Women
by Ellie Kurrus Can you imagine having to make a choice between staying in your home with an abusive partner or homelessness? This is the decision many survivors of domestic violence experience every day. Perpetrators of domestic violence tend to use violence to gain control and power over their partner. In addition to physical abuse, […]
Drawn to The Retreat
Michele, Director of Counseling at The Retreat I had the pleasure of starting my work with the Retreat in 1998, my first year of graduate school. I worked as a shift worker in the shelter for one year and had the amazing opportunity to work so closely with clients, supporting them with their day-to-day needs […]
There is A Future
I came into the shelter as a ragged 27-year-old, no money, no job, no education. I was a high school dropout, no place to call come with four shell-shocked children under the age of 10. Their first thought when we arrived was “Mommy, we can all have our own bed now!” Before that, they had […]
There is A Future
While I was a resident of The Retreat’s shelter, I received so much love and hope for me and my family. I came in a ragged 27-year-old, no money, no job, no education. I was a high school dropout, no place to call come with four shell-shocked children under the age of 10. Their first […]
Strength, Hope, and Courage
Upon seeing the bruises his father had inflicted upon me, my son shrugged and called them “battle scars.” Those words terrified me; my beautiful, gentle child thought this was normal. If it were not for my son, I never would have embarked on the two-year journey of leaving my husband of 38 years. He was the reason I finally went to the doctor after being physically abused.
