The YWCA offers a community support group for battered women provided in a compassionate environment to help victims gain an understanding of the cycle of domestic violence, characteristics of an abuser, and the effect of violence on children among other related topics. A children’s support group is also offered providing structured activities for children who have witnessed and/or experienced domestic violence in their homes.

In addition to domestic violence support groups, a support group for female victims of stalking is also offered by the YWCA. According to the National Center for Victims of Crime Stalking Resource Center:

• 1 in 12 women and 1 in 45 men are stalked annually in the United States
• 77% of female and 64% of male victims know their stalker.
• 59% of female victims and 30% of male victims are stalked by an intimate partner.

The YWCA Wichita is the only community agency that provides support group services to victims of stalking. At this time, the support group is limited to females only, but male stalking victims can receive individual outreach services by contacting the YWCA Women’s Crisis Center.

All services provided by the YWCA Women’s Crisis Center are free of charge and confidential. To obtain more information about the time and location of any of our support groups, please contact the YWCA Women’s Crisis Center at 263-2313.