Power & Control
Repeated patterns of coercion, monitoring, intimidation, isolation, and threats can restrict a person’s choices and independence.
KNOWLEDGE · CHOICE · SAFETY
Learn & Stay Safe
Information and resources for survivors, families, teens, and community members.
Understanding abuse and exploring options can help people make informed choices. Everyone deserves safety, respect, and the freedom to decide what is right for their own circumstances.
Your safety matters.
If someone may monitor your device, consider using a safer device to read these resources. Quick Exit redirects the current page but does not erase browsing history, downloads, or monitoring records. In immediate danger in the U.S., call 911.
Understanding Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used to gain or maintain power and control over a partner. It may include physical or sexual violence, threats, intimidation, isolation, emotional manipulation, financial control, stalking, and technology-facilitated abuse. Abuse does not have to be physical to be serious.
Financial Abuse
Controlling access to money, preventing employment, creating debt, or withholding essentials can make it harder to seek safety.
Technology-Facilitated Abuse
Monitoring messages, location sharing, passwords, accounts, or devices can be part of an abusive pattern.
Responsibility for abuse lies with the person choosing abusive behavior, never the person experiencing it.
Safety Planning
A safety plan is a personalized set of options for reducing risk. It may look different if someone is staying, considering leaving, separating, or rebuilding after a relationship. Leaving can sometimes increase danger; there is no single plan that works for everyone.
If You Are Staying
Consider who you trust, how to reach them safely, what situations may become dangerous, and where you could go if you needed immediate help.
If You Are Considering Leaving
When safe, think about important documents, medications, access to funds, transportation, and a place to go. Do not take steps that could increase your danger simply to complete a checklist.
After Separation
Consider changes to routines, account security, contact methods, and documentation of concerning incidents when safe and appropriate.
Children & Family
Use age-appropriate plans that focus on getting help and reaching safety. Children should not be expected to intervene in violence or protect adults.
Digital Safety
Shared devices, cloud accounts, phone plans, location sharing, and browser histories may be accessible to another person. Changes to settings can sometimes alert someone who is monitoring you.
Personalized Help
A trained domestic violence advocate can help you explore choices without pressure. You decide which options fit your circumstances.
Important: Avoid downloading, printing, or saving safety-planning materials to a device or location someone else may access. A personalized safety plan is best developed with a trained advocate.
Explore safety planning with the National Domestic Violence Hotline ↗
Healthy Relationships & Teen Dating Violence
Healthy relationships include respect, trust, boundaries, consent, and room for friendships and independence. Warning signs can include pressure to share passwords, controlling who someone sees, constant check-ins, threats, humiliation, and unwanted sexual pressure.
Parents and caregivers can help by listening without judgment, taking concerns seriously, and avoiding blame or ultimatums. Teens deserve support and a voice in decisions about their safety.
Visit love is respect for teen-focused education and support ↗
Supporting Someone Experiencing Abuse
Listen, believe, and ask what support would be useful. Respect the person’s choices and pace. Avoid confronting the abusive person, sharing information without permission, or insisting that someone leave before they are ready.
Helpful phrases include “I’m concerned about your safety,” “You deserve to be treated with respect,” and “Would you like help finding resources?”
Resources & Help
New Dawn Family Resource Center
Learn about our free, confidential services in northern Westchester. Holistic wellness and free childcare are available to Peer Support Group attendees, not as stand-alone public services.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
RAINN
Sexual assault information and support: 800-656-HOPE (4673)
rainn.org ↗
New York State Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline
800-942-6906
New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence ↗
These educational resources are available to everyone. New Dawn does not provide emergency response through this website.
Educational information only. It is not individualized legal advice or a substitute for professional safety planning. Please have New Dawn leadership review this material before official launch.