If you have been the victim of violence or abuse—or any child has been—please consider the following:

SAFETY Be sure you are safe. Remember that violence in families is often followed by periods of regret and promises that it will not happen again, but those promises are often broken. Our community has a variety of resources to help. If you believe that violence or abuse could occur (or reoccur) in your family, you should contact law enforcement or someone from the list below. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

USE THE COURTS While we strongly recommend cooperation between parents, safety must be assured first. A local attorney, the prosecutor’s office, or a representative from the list below may advise you on protective orderse that can help.

GET COUNSELING Get counseling for yourself and any child who has suffered or seen violence or abuse. When homes and love relationships are touched by violence or abuse, it is too confusing and painful an experience for victims to handle on their own. Things improve when families use competent outsiders. Remember the impact on your children. Children are badly hurt just by knowing that violence occurred. They will need counseling—and they will need to know that you are doing everything possible to make their world and yours safe. Call for help today.

National Domestic Violence Hotline
www.ndvh.org
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Gabriel’s Horn Shelter, Valparaiso
(219) 763-2077
Gabriel’s Horn is a non-profit emergency shelter established for the residents of Porter County. Its main purpose is to provide emergency housing assistance to individuals or families in times of economic hardships.

Haven House, Hammond
24-Hour Crisis Line (219) 931-2090
Haven House, Inc. is a 24-hour emergency shelter for domestic violence victims It provides . Located in Hammond, Indiana, Haven House provides emergency shelter and support for vic-tims of domestic violence and their children, including 24 hour hotline, safe temporary housing, court liason, professional counseling, anti-abuse advocacy, and community education.

Rainbow Emergency Shelter, Gary
24-Hour Hotline (219) 886-1600

The Caring Place, Valparaiso
www.thecaringplacenwi.org
24 Hour Crisis Line (219) 464-2128
All services are confidential and free of charge. Providing: shelter and safety to both men and women and their children who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault; advocacy and guidance to assist victims of violence to develop vocational skills to allow them to live independently; assistance to victims of rape and violence through the initial stages of trauma at the hospital or clinic; support for elder women where shelter living may not be required or appropriate.

St. Jude House, Crown Point
www.stjudehouse.org
24 Hour Crisis Line 1-(800) 254-1286
St. Jude House serves as a safe shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their dependent children. They offer support to victims they pursue violence-free lives.

Domestic Relations Counseling Bureau
(219) 755-3683