Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 20, 1994 TAG: 9402200071
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"We have to scheme and do a lot of things, ' the director of one program said. "Nothing's simple. It's nothing that happens today. It takes some time."
If victims fear for their lives and want to relocate, sometimes they have an idea of where they want to go. Sometimes they don't. Some want to be close to family and friends. But being too close means running the risk that their spouses might find them.
Usually, relocation begins at one shelter and ends at another. One shelter will refer a victim to another shelter, in or out of state. Shelters in Virginia often consult a spouse abuse directory, which lists all of the shelters and domestic violence programs in the state.
If a victim wants to relocate out of state, the shelter can get information about programs and shelters through Virginians Against Domestic Violence, a Williamsburg-based coalition.
Many shelters and programs arrange transportation for victims who have no means of travel. Usually, it means providing money for a bus ticket. And usually, the ticket is in the name of the shelter or program, not that of the victim.
Shelters and programs that offer relocation services put themselves in a sometimes dangerous position. In nearly all cases, they are the only ones who know where a victim has relocated.
"Men have actually come into our office very volatile," one program employee said. "People have called looking for their wives when they find out what we do. They become obsessed if they can't find the victim, and they're going to find someone to take it out on.
"Many times, it's us."
by CNB