STATISTICS
Living with domestic violence can take a lasting toll on children. Nationwide, it is estimated that between 3.3 and 10 million children will witness domestic violence each year. .


Children who witness domestic violence are 10 times more likely to batter or be battered than children who do not witness violence in the home.
Children & Youth

The Children and Youth Program provides services that give children and youth the opportunity to unlearn attitudes and behaviors that could otherwise cause them to perpetuate the cycle of violence in their adult relationships.
  • Individual counseling sessions are available by appointment in order to help children and teens understand that domestic violence is not their fault and to teach them alternative coping skills. Please contact our Watsonville or Santa Cruz Office to make an appointment.
  • Support groups for children and teens are held concurrently with the women’s domestic violence and sexual assault support groups on Tuesdays, in Spanish at the Watsonville office and in English at the Santa Cruz office.
  • Children and Youth program staff also conduct educational/support groups at several high schools, which include group counseling, and domestic violence and sexual assault prevention education.
Artwork     Amorypaz

  

A Window Between Worlds

 

Using a therapeutic art program called A Window Between Worlds (AWBW) we are now able to offer children and teens a different medium by which to express themselves. By creating art projects, this new model allows children and teens to rebuild their self confidence, and also gives them a positive way to handle the various emotions they may be experiencing. For more information about AWBW, you can log on to their website at www.awbw.org or call one of our offices.
 "Hurt/Lastimada" - Kristi
 

 

 

Women’s Crisis Support ~ Defensa de Mujures

Women’s Crisis Support~Defensa de Mujeres provides crisis intervention, including our 24-hour crisis line, crisis counseling, support groups, and referrals and information about domestic violence or sexual assault. WCS~DdM also provides counseling services for children and youth, educational presentations about domestic violence and sexual assault to schools and service providers throughout the county, and emergency safe shelter for women and children in need. All of our services are available in Spanish.

 

 

 

Contact Info:

WATSONVILLE OFFICE,
233 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA 95076, (831) 722-4532

SANTA CRUZ OFFICE,
1685 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95065, (831) 425-4030

TDD: (800) 735-2929 (California Relay Service),
24-Hour Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1-(888) 900-4232