Are you in a relationship in which you are being hit, kicked, punched, threatened or made to feel afraid? Does your partner tell you that you are stupid or bad? Are you told that you cannot visit with family or friends? Does your partner blame you, alcohol, drugs, or stress for the abusive behavior? If you are being hurt or are afraid of someone you are close to, help is available. Remember, you should not be threatened or beaten. It is against the law.

You can talk with your doctor, nurse, or nurse-midwife. You can also contact the following groups for further help or information.

Women's Shelters and Counseling

• Arch Springfield, 413-733-7100
• Womanshelter, Holyoke, 413-536-1628
• Everywoman's Center, Amherst, 413-545-0883, 24 hour hotline: 413-545-0800
• A Safe Passage, Northampton, 413-586-5066, 1-800-345-5282
• NELCWIT, Greenfield, 413-772-0806
• New Begininnings, Westfield, 413-562-1920

Help for Batterers

• Men Overcoming Violence Effectively (MOVE), Amherst, 413-253-9588
• Anger Management Program, Beacon Court Programs, 413-772-6388

Legal Assistance

• Franklin County Bar Association Referral, 413-773-9839
• Hampden County Bar Association Referral Services, 413-732-4648
• Western Massachusetts Legal Services, 413-781-7814

Court Information/Advocacy

You can get protective orders under the Abuse Prevention Act. For further information, call the Victim Witness Assistance Program in your local district court.

• Hampden County: 413-747-4826
• Holyoke: 413-538-7152
• Northampton: 413-586-5780
• Greenfield: 413-774-5533

Family Advocacy Center

A program of Baystate Medical Center and Baystate Medical Center Children's Hospital, the Family Advocacy Center has a trained staff of physicians, psychologists, social workers, volunteers and advocates, and many programs to help you if you or your family is experiencing child abuse or domestic violence.

Since every family is different, the center offers counseling, medical services, advocacy programs, support programs, and legal services.

Depending on your need, you may be helped by one or more of the following services:

• Sexual Abuse Clinic
• Family Violence Prevention
• Multidisciplinary Investigative Team
• Domestic Violence Volunteer Program
• Domestic Violence Advocate Program
• Family Violence and Sexual Assault Clinical Team
• Play Partnership Program

Insurance is accepted and many therapy programs are free of charge. For more information, call the Family Advocacy Center at 413-794-9816.