Safe Exit
In 2005 Julian Geiger donated $1 million to the “Women’s Crisis Center” in honor of his wife, Jeanne, who had been a volunteer and donor to the Center. In her honor, the name of the Women’s Crisis Center was changed to the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center.
We are often asked the question, “Where did that money go?” The Center operates on a $3.3 million-dollar budget. We receive state and federal contracts that fund 50% of our work, so we are tasked with raising over a million dollars every year on our own. The money was graciously received and spent between 2005 – 2016 providing services to survivors of domestic violence and their families at no cost to them, because we do not want money to be a barrier to receiving services.
No, we do not have a shelter. In the early nineties, we wanted to focus our efforts on helping survivors stay in their own homes within their own communities, so we invested funds in providing pro bono legal services and representation. These services help survivors with court matters such as divorce, child custody and support, housing, immigration, and contested restraining orders.
We do, however, provide assistance with emergency and transitional housing.
We know that all relationships look different, and that intimate partner violence can affect people from every community regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, economic status, religion or nationality. Our advocates are here to welcome and serve everyone in our community.
This is not our area of expertise but we will do our best to provide a referral to an agency or organization that can assist you.
Yes! The majority of domestic violence is not physical but can be equally damaging. Domestic violence behaviors do not necessarily include physical assault. While they may include sexual, emotional and/or physical abuse, the most consistent component of a domestic violence relationship is an ongoing effort to maintain power and control over one’s partner.
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive, controlling and violent behavior toward a partner in an intimate relationship. If you answer yes to any of these questions below, you may need help. Call our hotline at (978) 388-1888.
Has your partner…
- Put you down and then tell you that they love you?
- Question where you go, what you do or who you see?
- Relentlessly call, text, or email you?
- Keep you from seeing your friends or family?
- Scream at you, threaten, ridicule or criticize you repeatedly?
- Blame you for problems in your relationship?
- Undermine your parenting or say they will take away your children?
- Pressure you to have sex, do drugs or engage in illegal activities?
- Take your paycheck or restrict access to your money?
- Destroy your property?
We accept donations of clothes and goods on an as-needed basis. To determine if we are currently in need, please contact us at 978-834-9710
You can call our business office at 978-465-0999 and contact our volunteer and outreach coordinator for details. Read more here about how to volunteer.
You can view all our open positions on our careers page.
No, we do not require that you break up with your abusive partner or divorce them. We will work with you to safety plan and figure out what plan of action works best for you.
Yes, we provide services for all survivors of dating violence. If you think you may be experiencing dating violence, please call us at 978-388-1888. Our hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Click here to learn more about teen dating violence.
Financial:
Your contributions go to the support and care of the 1,200 to 1,400 survivors of domestic violence and their families that we serve every year. If you designate your gift to a specific program like Girls Inc. of the Seacoast Area or a specific event like our Walk Against Domestic Violence, your gifts will be applied to that program or event, per your wish.
There is no cost to receive services from the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center and we do not charge insurance.
Intimate Partner Abuse Education Program:
We do have an Intimate Partner Abuse Education Program. It is a certified 40-week program paid for by the participants. You will not come into contact with your abusive partner because the programs are housed in separate facilities.
IPAEP is a certified program for individuals who have used violence in an intimate relationship. The program promotes the safety of domestic violence survivors by holding individuals who use violence accountable for their actions and helping them change their behavior.
The program is certified by the Department of Public Health and follows the Massachusetts Guidelines and Standards for certification of Intimate Partner Abuse Education Programs. The guidelines mandate that all participants complete two hours per week for 40 weeks, totaling 80 hours.