AGENCY BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Domestic violence is a very serious problem affecting the lives of thousands of women each year throughout this country. It is estimated that one out of four households experience some form of violence each year. A woman is beaten every fourteen seconds. During the past decade domestic violence has started to receive the national attention and exposure which it deserves. Domestic Violence is everyone's problem.

In early 1975, over twenty-five representatives from local agencies, police departments, hospital personnel and concern citizens came together to address the problem of wife abuse in Lancaster County. It was estimated that over 700 women annually were victims of domestic and literally had no where to turn for help. In September, 1976, DVSLC (the Shelter) became a reality.

DVSLC, is a component of the Community Action Program of Lancaster County. The agency's primary purpose is to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence and their dependent children and to serve as advocates in educating the local community to the issues of domestic violence.

The Community Action Program of Lancaster County is a non-profit corporation governed by an independent Board of Directors. The structure of the Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from three segments of the community: elected governmental officials; low income participants; and other significant community interest groups, including the private sector. The rationale for this type of structure is to provide an opportunity for sometimes divergent segments of the community to develop mutually acceptable solutions to problems facing the total community. The Board includes representation from City, County and municipal government, minority organizations, organized labor, the Council of Churches, and local educational institutions.

While the CAP Board has full legal responsibility for DVSLC, the agency is a major program with a specific function within a much larger organization. Consequently, an Advisory Committee specifically for the Shelter was created to provide more focused attention to the problems of domestic violence and to assist the Director in seeking broader community support for its activities.