A United Way Member Agency

What's New:

The Problem:

Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault are pervasive problems in every community and every country in the world. Domestic Violence is the leading cause of injury for women between the ages of 15 and 54, while 1 in 4 women in the United States will be sexually assaulted by the time she is 18. And this isn't just a women's issue. 5% of domestic violence cases involve a male victim, and 1 in 10 sexual assault victims are male. Look around you: these are your neighbors, your friends, and your family. Maybe even yourself.

What if this is happening to me?

If you are in immediate danger, call 911 now. You can reach us on our crisis line (360/374-2273) for crisis counseling, information, and referrals.

A little about Domestic Violence. . .

Domestic violence is a pattern of controlling behavior, not just physical abuse. It can be emotional and it can be sexual. If your abuser is using this computer, please click here now for important internet safety information.

Does your partner:

Embarrass or make fun of you in front of your friends or family?
Put down your accomplishments or goals?
Make you feel like you are unable to make decisions?
Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance?
Tell you that you are nothing without them?
Treat you roughly -- grab, pinch, shove, or hit you?
Call you several times a night or show up to make sure you are where you said you would be?
Use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for saying hurtful things or abusing you?
Blame you for how they feel or act?
Pressure you sexually for things you aren't ready for?
Make you feel like there "is no way out" of the relationship?
Prevent you from doing things you want -- like spending time with your friends or family?
Try to keep you from leaving after a fight, or leave you somewhere after a fight to "teach you a lesson"?

Do you:

Sometimes feel scared of how your partner will act?
Constantly make excuses to other people for your partner's behavior?
Believe that you can help your partner change if only you changed something about yourself?
Feel afraid to do anything that would cause conflict or make your partner angry?
Feel like no matter what you do, your partner is never happy with you?
Always do what your partner wants you to do instead of what you want?
Stay with your partner because you're afraid of what your partner would do if you left?

If any of these things are happening, please give us a call (360/374-2273). An advocate is always available to listen, and to help you find solutions (to learn more about what an Advocate is and what we do, click here).

A little about Sexual Assault. . .

If you have been or think you have been Sexually Assaulted, please:

Go to a safe place.
If you want to report the crime, notify the police immediately. Reporting the crime can help you regain a sense of personal power and control and can also help to ensure the safety of other potential victims.
Call a friend, a family member, or someone else you trust and ask her or him to stay with you.
Preserve all physical evidence of the assault. Do not shower, bathe, douche, or brush your teeth. Save all of the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault. Place each item of clothing in a separate paper bag. Do not use plastic bags. Do not disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred.
Go to a hospital emergency department or a specialized forensic clinic that provides medical care for sexual assault victims. Even if you think that you do not have any physical injuries, you should still have a medical examination and discuss with a health care provider the risk of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases and the possibility of pregnancy resulting from the sexual assault.
If you suspect that you may have been given a rape drug, ask the hospital or clinic where you receive medical care to take a urine sample. Rape drugs, such as Rohypnol and GHB, are more likely to be detected in urine than in blood.
Write down as much as you can remember about the circumstances of the assault, including a description of the assailant.
Remember it wasn't your fault.
Recognize that healing from rape takes time. Give yourself the time you need.
If you want information about legal issues, medical care, other concerns related to the assault, or just to talk about what happened, call our confidential crisis line (360/374-2273). We're ready to listen 24-hours a day.
Know that it's never too late to call. Even if the attack happened years ago, the Forks Abuse Program can still help. Many victims do not realize they need help until months or years later.

A bit about both...

Remember: You didn't deserve it, and it isn't your fault.

What if I think this is happening/has happened to a friend?

Listen to your friend, but don't judge her or him. Offer your support. Give your friend our number or web address and let them know that our services are confidential. Please remember that you can call our crisis line too. Listening to your friend's pain can be very difficult, and we're here to help you help them.

To learn more about what we do, click on the services link above. Or feel free to check out the rest of our webpage.