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About Us Mission Statement Project Response provides crisis intervention to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Southeast Nebraska. This is accomplished through the provision of a comprehensive, cost-effective array of education, prevention, and client services that are sensitive and relevant to the needs of all area residents. Goals 1. To provide effective crisis counseling services to children, adolescents, adults and families suffering from victimization. 2. To provide effective and comprehensive primary prevention services to children, starting at the earliest possible age. 3. To provide public education regarding domestic violence, sexual assault, incest, and other forms of child abuse and the effects on individuals, families and the community. 4. To provide education, prevention and treatment services that is sensitive and relevant to the needs of women, ethnic minorities, racial minorities, and other populations with special needs. 5. To advocate for support of these individuals by establishing liaisons with community organizations, volunteers, and public officials including law enforcement and judicial officials. 6. To raise sufficient funding through public and private means to enable adequate support of program services and achievement of organizational goals. 7. To demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of program services through program evaluation.
| Philosophy Domestic violence and sexual assault are social problems that impact individuals and families in their intimate relationships. The root causes of battering and sexual assault grow out of social beliefs that men have the primary right of control over their own lives and over the lives of women and children. This system is known as patriarchy. Historically, the ownership of women by men, the right to control, discipline and abuse of women's bodies as well as control of their financial and material resources, has been sanctioned both informally and legally or formally. While it is no longer sanctioned for a man to beat his spouse in this society, many informal sanctions and beliefs about the right of men to control women remain in existence. Consequently, battering and sexual assault continues; and the vast majority of its victims are women. Our conviction that women are fully equal members of society, that they have the right to self-determination and full control over their lives, and are responsible for their choices, is an integral part of our approach to domestic violence and sexual assault. We believe that no one deserves to be beaten or raped for any reason. We approach the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault with this value in mind. Violence is a behavior that is a choice on the part of the abuser, and consequently, the responsibility for the violence always lies on the abuser. We do not believe that the victim is responsible for provoking the violence in any way. Violence is a learned behavior. It is passed on generationally in individual families as well as culturally. Consequently, intervention with children and the teaching of nonviolent options for communication and problem-solving are integral parts of the philosophy subscribed to throughout the Project Response Program. All people have the right to safety and to freedom from violence. This is the basis for all services and interventions with battered women. | History In the spring of 1987, under the guidance of Rev. Eugene Watson, a group of people interested in emergency care and other human services began meeting. Through group discussions over the spring and summer several needs were identified. Safe homes and a crisis hotline for Southeast Nebraska emerged as immediate goals for the group. Dr. Anthony Citrin suggested the name Project Response and it was approved by all. The first funds were provided by the Nebraska City Ministerial Association with a donation of $100. With that money and a $50 donation from the N.C. Women of Today, Project Response paid incorporation fees. Articles of Incorporation and By-laws were written in the fall of 1987 with the assistance of Attorney Max Kelch. In the following months funding sources were discussed, hotline options were evaluated, volunteers were recruited and publicity through public speaking engagements was implemented. Phyllis Jorgensen of Auburn was hired as the Director for Project Response and began working on February 1, 1989. Later that year, the agency received their 501(c)(3) recognition from the Internal Revenue Service. The first office was at St. Mary's Hospital in Nebraska City, which was donated by the hospital. |
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