REACH provides resources on domestic violence

By JUNE KINOSHITA
Waltham Times Contributing Writer

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To mark this event, the nonprofit organization REACH held a Fall Festival where dozens organizations provided information about resources available to individuals experiencing domestic violence. 

The event was held earlier this month on the Waltham Common. It is organized annually by REACH. 

REACH serves 27 cities and towns throughout the MetroWest and Greater Boston area. Its mission is to end domestic violence and promote healthy relationships. 

On its website, REACH defines domestic abuse as ““a pattern of behaviors that one person uses to gain and maintain power and control over another person.” These behaviors can include

• Financial abuse, controlling or limiting access to financial resources.
• Physical abuse, harm or injury caused by physical force.
• Sexual abuse, any nonconsensual sexual act or behavior.
• Psychological abuse, deliberate emotional harm or manipulation.

Other local organizations that provide support to people affected by domestic violence include

• BARCC, support for sexual violence survivors.
• Bentley Advocacy Office, support for sexual/domestic violence survivors on the Bentley University campus. 
• Journey to Safety, support for survivors of domestic violence, run through Jewish Family & Children Services. 
• Network La/red, support for LGBTQ+ domestic abuse survivors 
• PARC (prevention advocacy resource center), support for sexual/domestic violence survivors on the Brandeis University campus.
• Springwell, support for elders at risk of or experiencing abuse or neglect.