Jen Locker is Executive Director of A Woman’s Place. (Credit: Jen Locker)
Since 1976, A Woman’s Place in Doylestown has been offering hope and support to victims of domestic violence, and the need for the nonprofit’s services are no less critical today than they were at its inception.
According to Jen Locker, the executive director of A Woman’s Place, 1 in 3 women, 1 in 7 men and 1 in 2 trans and nonbinary individuals will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime.
Locker spoke to Access Network about the mission and services of A Woman’s Place, and how community members can get involved.
A Woman’s Place is the only domestic violence response organization in Bucks County. Its mission is to be a life-saving resource for anyone experiencing intimate partner violence and their children.
The staff run a 24-hour hotline and emergency shelter as well as offer counseling, victim response advocacy legal assistance, and prevention education. This includes civil legal representation, support and accompaniment through the criminal justice system, medical advocacy, trauma therapy and EMDR or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, financial empowerment programs and the R.I.S.E. Program (Redefining Independence, Safety & Empowerment).
Through its medical advocacy program, A Woman’s Place also works with healthcare professionals to ensure they have the proper training and tools to screen for domestic violence and to help connect patients to the services at A Woman’s Place.
What exactly is domestic violence? It is a more nuanced definition that many people might not realize. It covers more than just physical violence, referring to many different types of abuse, including physical, verbal, emotional/psychological, sexual, and financial. It also includes violence or abuse from a family member as well, not just a spouse or partner.
Locker stressed that everyone is welcome at A Woman’s Place, not just women. Domestic violence affects people from all genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, income levels and age groups.
On what is the most satisfying part of her work with A Woman’s Place, Locker said it is offering hope to people at a dark moment in their lives. Besides helping during the immediate crisis, she said, A Woman’s Place also offers longer post-crisis support like trauma therapy and rapid rehousing for up to a year later to help their clients get back on their feet.
On the biggest roadblocks the nonprofit faces in carrying out its mission, Locker said there is always a need for greater space to serve more clients and that working through all the barriers domestic violence victims face like economic and health issues can be a challenge.
Besides serving its clients, A Woman’s Place also does outreach into the community to help people better understand what constitutes a healthy relationship and how to spot the signs of intimate partner violence.
A Woman’s Place holds community awareness events, workshops, and training programs to promote safety, justice, and equality in the community.
Prevention programs are also available for elementary, middle, and high schools throughout Bucks County. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Did you know that 1 in 3 teens will experience dating abuse before graduating from high school?
Teenagers and their parents can find information about education, prevention, and how to get help on the website.
Locker explained, “Domestic violence affects a large part of the community and has a rippling effect on family and friends.”
If you or a loved one is a victim of domestic violence, call A Woman’s Place 24/7 hotline: 1-800-220-8116.
How You Can Help
Locker said that they are always in need of volunteers and donations. Volunteers help in many different ways, including in the office, in the food pantry, in the thrift shop and with events and fundraising.
Full Swing is the nonprofit’s boutique thrift store in Doylestown. All purchases of clothing, shoes and accessories go to support the programs of A Woman’s Place, and all clients of the organization can shop there for free. The thrift store also accepts donations. You can find the full list here.
