1. Whom do you call to report domestic violence?
Call 911 to report to Police. Call WID to ask for assistance, shelter, at 954-761-1133. Call the Abuse Hotline, 1-800-96 ABUSE, for reporting abuse to children or elderly.

2. How are WID services accessed?
By calling the 24-hour crisis line, 954-761-1133. Victims may call that number. Family, friends, police, judges, or social services agencies refer some people to us.

3. Are services provided only to Broward residents?
No, we will provide assistance to anyone who calls. WID is a member of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a group of 38 domestic violence centers located throughout the state. While our primary service area is Broward County, WID does not deny services based on geographic location. If possible we can refer a participant to more convenient services anywhere in the United States.

4. Are men eligible for participant services?
Yes, we provide individual counseling for male victims and batterer's intervention classes for abusers. In shelter situations we make referrals to agencies that have housing facilities available for men. Our shelters are for women and children only.

5. How do you determine if a person is appropriate for counseling at WID?
We have a screening, assessment and evaluation by advocates who work with participants to develop a plan and determine needed levels of service.

6. What is the profile of a victim of domestic violence?
There is no single profile. Victims come from all walks of life, all incomes, races, religions, and economic levels.

7. Why do women stay in abusive relationships?
Many reasons, fear is the #1 reason. Many have no knowledge of available help, some fear losing their children, some fear being alone, some are without economic income and feel they have no skills to be employable, some have very low self-esteem If you know someone in this situation, please do not ask them why they stay. Offer them the crisis line number and your emotional support. Let them know they deserve better. The bigger societal challenge is to focus on stopping the abuser by holding them accountable and preventing violence by zero tolerance education.

8. Do you help people with emotional abuse?
Yes. Our advocates provide services to Domestic Violence victims regardless of the form of domestic violence. Our Shelter services are for those victims in imminent danger.

9. What services are included when you say WID is a full service agency?
WID provides a 24-hour crisis line, temporary shelter, food and clothing, individual and group counseling, children’s counseling, emergency and community resources referral services, counseling Parenting Classes, classes for abusers, advocacy and case management, community presentations, prevention programs for schools, training for police officers and health professionals, media information, community coordination with other agencies, including the Broward Domestic Violence Council, Victims' Rights Coalition, Legal Aide, the Broward Homeless Coalition, and the United Way to name a few.

10. What is your mission?
Stop Abuse For Everyone (S.A.F.E.) through Intervention, Education and Advocacy. Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc empowers and assists victims of family violence and their children with temporary shelter and support services; educates on non-violent behavior patterns for all family members, and delivers, prevention and awareness education in the community.

11. How many participants can be sheltered at once?
We have a 62 beds located at two confidential shelters located in Broward County.

12. Is your shelter usually full?
Many times it is. People come and go daily, if we don’t have room we will work with the person to find another shelter.

13. What is the length of time a participant can stay at the shelter?
The average stay is 45 days, with a maximum number of approximately 60 days. but women may stay up to three months if they meet certain criteria. We tailor a success plan to meet individual participant needs.

14. Are children sheltered with their mothers?
Yes. Women and their children live in apartments together. Mothers have responsibility to care for their children. Due to communal living aspect, boys 14 and up are not able to be at the Shelter.

15. Can you really help a participant in such a short time?
Yes. Our program is a self-help program. Women are given guidance and referrals to find jobs and become independent. We work with them on resources, parenting skills, and support. They are encouraged to continue counseling at the Family Center after they leave the shelter.

16. What percentage of your shelter participants’ access services more than once?
An average of eight percent of our participants access services more than once. But that number varies from participant to participant. Statistically a victim of domestic violence will leave her abuser seven times before she finally leaves for good. WID is the safety net to help them leave safely.

17. If the shelter is full, how does WID help women?
As part of the Broward Homeless Initiative Partnership, WID provides referrals to other agencies with shelter services in Broward County when all our beds are full. If relocation is required, WID utilizes domestic violence shelters throughout the state or county.

18. How do you serve participants food?
Upon arrival at the shelter, a participant is provided food for five days until she can acquire her own groceries. We assist participants in applying for food stamps or securing employment so that they may begin to provide for themselves and their families. Each of our apartments is equipped with a full kitchen and participants are expected to cook for themselves and families and maintain the apartments as if they were their own. Food is acquired through state and federal grants and through generous donations from the community and local food banks.

19. Where are the children while their mothers are getting services?
Children are cared for in our children’s respite facilities at the shelter and Jim and Jan Moran Family Center and are overseen by a child care specialist. While we do not provide day care throughout the day, our respite facilities allow participants to leave their children in a secure environment with trained professionals while they attend counseling sessions, case management or simply meet with a staff member. Daycare and after school care is provided at various licensed facilities throughout the county with grant funds from Broward County and the state of Florida. Children also receive counseling services and supportive activities

20. What do you do for the participants on holidays?
The Jim and Jan Moran Family Center is closed on weekends and holidays but our shelters operate 24 hours a day, 7days a week all year long. Holidays are special times at shelters and we try to make them special for our participants with special outings, tickets to community events, or group meals to share in the holiday spirit. The Broward County community truly embraces our participants during the holiday season with gifts, food and tickets to activities and events.

21. How do you help participants with housing and employment?
By referral to the Housing Authority or to resources provided by friends of the agency and previous participants. Job opportunities and apartments with low rent are always welcome.

22. Is there an age limit on the children?
Due to the shared living arrangements in our shelter we are unable to provide space for boys age 14 and up. In the event a participant has a son 14 or older, we make arrangements for a more appropriate shelter or living space to provide care for the participant and her family. Outreach services are availalbefor all ages.

23. Do you take elderly people?
Yes, WID helps people of all ages.
.3% of our participants were over 65 years of age.

24. Can women or men volunteer to come for counseling, or do they need to be court ordered?
Most of our participants volunteer to attend our program. While we do provide court ordered services (batterer's intervention, parenting classes, etc.) we work with each participant to determine their best options for our various programs.

25. Why do you tell people to get a restraining order? Isn’t it just a piece of paper?
We inform people of the multiple choices they have in terms of resources. We do not tell anyone what to do. It is a legal document that records a history and enables police to respond differently to situations . It empowers people and enables them to come forth for counseling and receive protection from the law enforcement center when it is filed.

26. What does it cost to get a restraining order?
Since October of ’03 there is no cost.

27. Is there a fee for women to stay at the shelter? For Outreach Counseling?
There is no fee for shelter for services for victims at the Jim and Jan Moran Family Center. No one is turned away. A Male Batterers' Intervention Program is offered on a sliding scale fee schedule.

28. What does it cost WID for counseling?
$55.00 an hour is the minimum cost to our agency.

29. How is WID funded?
Grants, the Thrift Store, general contributions, events, foundations, cities, seminar revenue, investments/misc., and non-cash contributions.

30. What are your administrative/fundraising costs?
Administrative cost are 10% of our budget, fundraising 7%.

31. What is WID’s track record.
WID has an excellent reputation in the community with unqualified credits since 1979. Accreditation with the Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services (COA) was achieved in 2002

32. How many people do you employ?
The agency employs 73 paid positions. We have approximately 265 volunteers who assist them.

33. How can people donate clothing or furniture to participants?
All donations are first delivered to the WID Blooming Sales Thrift Store. Donations are accepted at the back of the store, Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our participants access donations from the store, since we do not give out our shelter location. Proceeds fund WID services.

34. How can people donate to participants?
All donations are first delivered to the WID Blooming Sales Thrift Store. Donations are accepted Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our participants access donations from the store, since we do not give out our shelter location. Donations may be marked for shelter.

35. Will the Thrift Store pick up donations?
Due to budget constraints we do not have a truck for pick-ups. The location for the Thrift Store is 1372 N. State Road #7 (just north of Coconut Creek Parkway) in Margate. For further information call (954) 975-7425.

36. What percentage of the Thrift Store profits actually benefit WID participants?
100% of the profits. Donations are given to the participants as needed. Extra items that are sold help pay for the services to participants.

37. How much does it cost to keep a woman at the shelter a day?
Approximately $55.

38. What are the priority funding needs of your organization?
Participant services, including shelter, advocacy, counseling, case management, and respite.

39. How successful are the service programs?
The majority of participants who obtain our services are able to complete 80% or more of their individualized goals. We feel that all participants are helped in some way, even if they choose not to stay and work through the issues. They learn resources and that a safe environment and counseling are available. When they are ready to accept that help, they will know how to access it.

40. How are cases monitored once counseling is ordered to make sure the abuser gets help?
Counselors send reports to the judges to inform them when an abuser misses sessions. Probation officers do follow-up work to check with the abusers.

41. Isn’t it depressing to work with domestic violence?
Not at all! It is very rewarding to know that you are able to help people become self-sufficient, increase their self-esteem, and become free of violence.

42. Why don’t you send advocates or advocates to do outreach work for victims in the hospital, or other social services when they can’t get to WID on their own.
Satellite offices are established in an effort to reach all quadrants in the county. WID also offers services at Broward County Family Success Centers. As increased funding is obtained, WID tries to expand services to greater reach Broward County.

43. Why can’t my advocate go to court with me? I don’t want to go with a stranger.
With sufficient notice, a WID advocate or trained volunteer can accompany participants to court in a supportive capacity.

44. Why isn’t the family center open on weekends?
When the Family Center had weekend hours, participant participation was minimal. Based on demand, weekend hours will be addressed.

45. When I call WID from my agency in the middle of the night, your shelter is always full, can this be possible or do you just wait until morning before you admit anyone?
Emergency admissions for safe shelter occur nights and weekends.

46. Why can’t you take donations at the family center?
Limited storage and transportation barriers make it difficult to process donations at the Jim & Jan Moran Family Center. The Thrift Store has the personnel to sort, process and disseminate donations to our participants and then for public sale.

47. Child abuse and elderly abuse is a mandatory reportable offense, why isn’t spousal abuse a mandatory reportable offense?
The Florida Legislature did not mandate it as such, as "spouses" are considered adult, self-action and choice capable.

48. Why isn’t a man considered just sick or mentally ill when he batters; why is it just a learned behavior, can’t it be both?
There are many sick and mentally ill men who don’t batter. Learned behavior is a common thread among most batterers. Batterering refers to physical and emotional abuse.

49. Are there any other WID shelters in Broward County or the State of Florida?
There are 39 state-certified domestic violence centers maintaining shelters throughout Florida. WID is the only state-certified center in Broward county.

50. Is Anger Management an appropriate referral for Batterers?

Persons with anger management issues have difficulty controlling their anger in more general situations and can become violent with anyone. Batterers are primarily abusive towards their spouce or children, but function appropriately in other settings or with other social interactions.

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