What is DAHMW?
DAHMW Director, Ms. Brown, comments regarding domestic abuse at www.courant.com/batteredlives
SERVING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women (DAHMW) is a registered non-profit organization that provides intervention and support services to victims of domestic abuse. We are a unique organization in that we specialize in offering support and services to male victims of spousal and intimate partner violence. However, our services are not limited to abused men, we also offer support and services to women in abusive relationships.
The topic of male victims and female perpetrators of domestic violence has been the controversial focus of debate for over two decades. Some say that men cannot be victims of female violence because men are more domineering as well as bigger and stronger than women. To understand how men can be victims, please visit our resource page and click on DAHMW brochures and literature.
HELPING MEN AND WOMEN IN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS
DAHMW was founded in October 2000. Since that time we have had thousands of calls come into the helpline from Maine and around the country.
We collaborate with a number of the established women’s domestic violence shelters in the country that also understand that the human capacity for family violence is not limited or dictated by gender. DAHMW offers support and practical services to victims, to the best of our ability given our limited financial resources.
Our trained volunteer advocates (90% of which are women) cover our toll free abuse helpline in shifts throughout the day and night. They take calls from victims, their family members and friends who are concerned about them, as well as social services agencies looking for referrals and supportive services for their male clients. 100% of our volunteers (and staff) are compassionate, caring people who want to make a difference in the lives of victims of domestic violence.
If you are in an abusive relationship and your abuser has access to your computer, it is important that you take precautionary steps to hide your internet activities.
The best way to protect yourself is to use a computer your abuser cannot access! Access a computer at a friend’s house or at the library. Use any computer that your abuser cannot access.
Covering Your Tracks
If you must use a computer your abuser can access, you can attempt to cover your tracks by doing the following:
1) Use an email account your abuser cannot access
2) Delete insecure information created by your web browser
Warning
Even if you take these cautionary steps, your abuser may be able to discover your online activities. To ensure that your online activities are not discovered by your abuser, you must use a computer that your abuser cannot access and be on a wireless or wired network which is not controlled by your abuser.
