BRIDGEPORT, CT — Domestic abuse and sexual violence can happen to anyone —whether it is a young child sexually assaulted by a family member, or a mother finding the strength to leave a violent relationship to start over.
The Center for Family Justice (CFJ) wants you to know there is hope for victims and survivors. The center’s counselors and advocates provide extensive services and programming to help all those who are impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence, and child abuse.
Through donations to The Center’s “Faces of Hope” campaign, the public can help these programs continue and grow. It is through these donations that all mental health services at CFJ are provided at no cost to children and families.
Since the pandemic, The Center for Family Justice witnessed a 32 percent increase in domestic violence cases – amounting to 5,500 clients served last year.
“This is a time of year when my thoughts turn to how grateful I am to be part of a caring community so dedicated to the service of others,” said Debra Greenwood, CFJ’s president and CEO.
National statistics show that a person is abused every nine seconds, and 3,500 to 4,000 children witness fatal family violence every year.
A client’s story
Alma, a mother of five, and her husband were together for 14 years, but the relationship turned abusive and she looked for a way out, eventually attending the domestic violence support group at CFJ.
Alma was moved to a safe house with her children. While it is not easy, Alma is very resourceful and CFJ helped her with a budget and how to cut down on expenses.
As another mother explains:
“I had to give up my job, relocate my family to an area we were not familiar with, and begin my life all over again with no money and few personal belongings. The staff at The Center was with me every step of the way, providing me with a safe and protected place. I do not know where my children and I would be today if it was not for the support, guidance and services provided to us by The Center for Family Justice.”
CFJ’s supportive staff is here to provide counseling, crisis intervention, legal services, safety plans and 24/7 access to counselors and advocates through its crisis hotline.
Among the things donations fund are emergency supplies for victims entering a safe house, a stay at the safe house, bilingual crisis counseling or legal services, or a week at Camp HOPE America – Bridgeport for children or teens recovering from the trauma of abuse.
“In a year when our clients have needed us more than ever, this is the perfect time to give thanks to everyone who has supported us in the effort to provide hope and healing to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence and child abuse,” Greenwood said.
To make a donation to the “Faces of Hope” campaign, click here.
About CFJ
The Center for Family Justice offers support to the residents of Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull.
The Center for Family Justice breaks the cycle of abuse and violence – domestic, sexual and child – by providing services that create hope, restore lives and drive social change through education and community collaboration.
Its vision is to end domestic and sexual abuse and violence in our communities. Its staff, board members and volunteers believe that:
- Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect.
- Collaboration with our clients, partners and communities is vital to achieve individualized choice, success and empowerment.
- Trust is essential for our work in building self-sufficient survivors.
- Compassion and hope allow people to thrive and feel safe.
- Community education, awareness and outreach are essential to drive and maintain social change and justice.
For information, visit CFJ’s website. If you are in a crisis situation and need help, call the center’s 24/7 hotlines:
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- Domestic Violence: 203-384-9559
- Sexual assault: 203-333-2233
- Spanish: 888-568-8332
- Text: (888) 999-5545
