Dear Westborough Community,
On behalf of Westborough Youth & Family Services, I offer our concern and care for Westborough community members who have been affected by the incident in the Windsor Ridge apartment complex on November 15th involving a police shooting in response to a domestic violence situation. Our support goes out to those witnessed and were involved in the incident, including first responders and neighbors. We recognize that the impact of this event extends beyond those who were directly involved. For people who have been personally touched by domestic violence or other types of violence, this may be particularly triggering. Exposure may lead to intrusive memories about past violence or fears about what might happen to those who are in the midst of an abusive situation.
Across our society, there is a widespread culture of silence around domestic violence, despite its prevalence. According to Jane Doe, Inc., 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men, including LGBTQ people, are victims of domestic violence resulting in injury, fear, concern for safety, and/or needing services. People experiencing domestic violence (also known as partner abuse, dating violence and intimate partner violence) don’t always recognize that what they are experiencing is abuse, and when they do, isolation and shame create large barriers to seeking help.
Westborough Youth and Family Services wants to make help-seeking easier. The mission of our department is to provide counseling and social services to Westborough residents and to promote behavioral health and wellness for the entire community. We are a resource to help connect survivors to needed services. We also want to share with you these additional resources:
- Westborough Youth & Family Services, 508-366-3090, town.westborough.ma.us/youth-and-family-services —Confidential counseling, consultation, information and referrals
- New Hope, 24/7 Hotline: 1-800-323-HOPE, new-hope.org –Advocacy, confidential counseling, legal services, housing referrals and intervention for abusers; offices in Worcester and Milford
- SAFEPLAN Advocate, Westborough District Court, 508-366-8266 ext. 144 —Court-based advocate assists survivors to obtain restraining and harassment orders
- SafeLink, 24/7 Statewide Hotline: 877-785-2020 —Information, support and shelter for survivors
- Westborough Police Department, 508-475-4800, town.westborough.ma.us/police
- Interface Helpline, 888-244-6843—Free and confidential consultation and referrals to outpatient mental health services for Westborough residents
- Violence Recovery Program, Fenway Health, 927.6250, fenwayhealth.org/care/behavioral-health/violence-recovery —Information and referrals for LGBTQ survivors
- Jane Doe, Inc., janedoe.org –Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence—information, statistics, resource lists
In collaboration with my colleagues from the Westborough Police Department, Westborough Fire Department, Westborough Public Schools and the Town Manager’s office, we want the residents of Westborough to know that we prioritize your safety, both physical and emotional, and we want you to know where and how to get help when you are in need. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
With care and compassion,
Cara Presley, LICSW
Director, Westborough Youth & Family Services
