Love Should Never Hurt

Genesis House Honors Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Genesis House, Lorain County’s only domestic violence shelter, takes full advantage of October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month to spread awareness of this crime, its impact on our community and share services available to victims and perpetrators.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month was first introduced in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. It was created not only to bring more awareness but to connect and unify the millions of victims and their loved ones that had been affected due to this crime.

Every year in the U.S., around 10 million people become victims of domestic violence, about 20 people every minute. In Lorain County, there have been more domestic homicides in the past year than in the past three years combined.

This crime is often done in private; October is our opportunity to be loud with our efforts and remind survivors that we see them, we are here to help, and we care.

It is also an opportunity to remind batterers that this behavior is unacceptable, we see them, and we are dedicated to holding them accountable.

Since 1995, Genesis House has been working to provide a comprehensive range of family-focused services for Lorain County Victims of domestic violence. We strive to provide tools to both victims and loved ones to maximize the opportunity to survive and families to heal. We want survivors to obtain physical and mental well-being to minimize the trauma involved in coping with domestic violence while helping them gain independence. We serve as part of a collaborative community effort to provide a responsive system of care for victims, accountability and education for perpetrators, and raise awareness about domestic violence.

Genesis House provides shelter for adults and children fleeing from an abusive intimate partner.

Aftercare Services are for survivors who have left the shelter and want to stay connected to us to increase their social system and gain additional knowledge and skills.

The 24-hour hotline and chat line provide information and support. The numbers are (440) 244-1853 or (440) 323-3400.

Support Groups are for survivors who want additional information and support.

Legal Advocacy is for folks going through the justice system who could use support and accompaniment at court hearings or obtaining a protection order.

A Children’s Advocate is available to work with kids in the shelter and facilitates a children’s art group for kids in the community who have witnessed violence.

Our Community Education team is in the schools providing prevention and intervention programs to teach students what a healthy relationship looks like, red flags of a dangerous relationship, and how to ask for help.

MAP (Men’s Anti-Violence Program) is a 26-week batterers intervention program focusing on accountability and the ideology of abusive men.

We host a podcast called Love Shouldn't Hurt, a safe and confidential way to learn about domestic violence for all community members.

This October, be on the lookout for the following county-wide campaigns and awareness events:

Purple Ribbons

One of the many purple ribbons that line Broadway in Downtown Lorain, Ohio.

photo by Jen Navarro

Be on the lookout for purple ribbons on trees, lamp posts, street signs, benches, and other public spaces all over Lorain County.

The Silent Witness Exhibit

The Silent Witness Exhibit telling the stories of 51 Lorain County community members murdered by someone who was supposed to love them.

photo courtesy of Genesis House Lorain County Safe Harbor

This exhibit tells the stories of 51 Lorain County community members murdered by someone who was supposed to love them. Stories are depicted in life-size red silhouettes. The entire display will be at various locations throughout the month and open to the public.

Empty Seat at the Table Displays

These displays tell the stories of victims of domestic violence and the empty seats represent vacancies left in our community when people are taken from us by this horrible crime.

These displays tell the stories of victims of domestic violence and the empty seats represent vacancies left in our community when people are taken from us by this horrible crime.

photo courtesy of Genesis House Lorain County Safe Harbor

This campaign tells the stories of all the Silent Witnesses. Each victim’s story is placed in a small frame and put on display on an empty seat in the community to represent the vacancies left in our community when people are taken from us by this horrible crime.

These displays tell the stories of victims of domestic violence and the empty seats represent vacancies left in our community when people are taken from us by this horrible crime.

photo courtesy of Genesis House Lorain County Safe Harbor

Now Serving Awareness

This is a new campaign this year! We are asking restaurants and bars to join us in sharing life-saving information. We are asking establishments to display table and bar tents with information about domestic violence, Genesis House services, and how to get involved.

Love Shouldn’t Hurt Podcast

Love Shouldn't Hurt Podcast by Genesis House Lorain County Safe Harbor

This podcast is an educational podcast dedicated to sharing life-saving information about intimate partner violence.

For a schedule of events and locations of displays, follow us on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LorainCountySafeHarborGenesisHouse

Instagram: genesishouseshelter

Twitter: @GenesisHouse1

TikTok: @genesishouseshelter