SAFETY ALERT: Computer use is traceable and Internet activities can never be fully erased from your hard drive. If you think your computer use might be monitored please find a safer place to surf the web, like at a friend's house or the public library. Or call the 24 hour domestic violence hotline at (707) 255-NEWS (6397) if you are in Napa County or (800) 799-7233 if you are outside of Napa County. If you are viewing our site and need to get away quickly to an unrelated site, click the red ESCAPE button in the upper right corner and you will be redirected. Please test this feature on your computer RIGHT NOW to ensure you are comfortable using it.

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ALERTA DE SEGURIDAD: El uso de una computadora puede ser identificado y actividades en la internet nunca pueden ser totalmente eliminadas del disco duro. Si piensas que tu uso de computadora posiblemente esta siendo monitoriado favor de encontrar un  lugar seguro donde puedas navegar la red social, por ejemplo la casa de una amistad confiable o la biblioteca publica. O llama a nuestra  linea de Violencia Domestica disponible las 24 horas al 707-255-NEWS (6397) si te encuentras en el Valle de Napa, o a este (800) 799-7233 si te encuentras fuera del Condado de Napa. Si estas visitando nuestra pagina y necesitas salirte rapidamente a una pagina no relacionada, oprime el boton rojo de ESCAPE arriba en la esquina de la mano derecha y seras desviado/a. Favor de probar este función en su computadara AHORA MISMO para asegurarse que se sienta comodo/a usando esta función.

Los servicios de NEWS están disponibles para todos, independientemente del estatus migratorio.

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NEWS is here to help!

NEWS is committed to supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, especially during this time of unprecedented transitions and health concerns. Out of deep respect for our employees and their families, for the time being, we will be pausing the ability to take walk-ins at our administrative office, and will be serving clients by appointment only. In no way will our commitment to providing safety, hope, healing and empowerment for survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse be minimized.

The NEWS Emergency Shelter programs remain operational 24-hours a day, and we continue to provide safe housing, emergency counseling, and emergency needs to victims escaping violence.

If you, or anyone you know, needs to access NEWS services at any time, please have them call our 24-hour help line (707) 255-6397 for immediate assistance. Also, you may continue on to our website or email us.

Thank you for your understanding and consideration,


Tracy Lamb
Executive Director


In English Continuar

Los servicios de NEWS están disponibles para todos, independientemente del estatus migratorio

¡NEWS está aquí para ayudar!

NEWS se compromete a apoyar a las víctimas de violencia doméstica y abuso sexual, especialmente durante este tiempo de transiciones sin precedentes y preocupaciones de salud. Por un profundo respeto por nuestros empleados y sus familias, por el momento, suspenderemos la capacidad de recibir visitas sin cita previa en nuestra oficina administrativa y atenderemos a los clientes solo con cita previa. De ninguna manera se minimizará nuestro compromiso de brindar seguridad, esperanza, sanación y empoderamiento a las sobrevivientes de violencia doméstica y abuso sexual.

Los programas de Refugio de Emergencia de NEWS permanecen operativos las 24 horas del día, y continuamos brindando vivienda segura, consejería de emergencia y necesidades de emergencia a las víctimas que escapan de la violencia.

Si usted, o alguien que conoce, necesita acceder a los servicios de NEWS en cualquier momento, pídales que llamen a nuestra línea de ayuda las 24 horas (707) 255-6397 para obtener asistencia inmediata. Además, puede continuar en nuestro sitio web o enviarnos un correo electrónico.

Gracias por su comprensión y consideración.


Tracy Lamb, directora ejecutiva de NEWS

707-255-NEWS (6397)

24 HOUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE HELP LINE
LINEA DE AYUDA LAS 24 HORAS PARA VIOLENCIA DOMESTICA Y ABUSO SEXUAL

1-800-799-7233

OUTSIDE OF NAPA COUNTY
FUERA DEL CONDADO DE NAPA

Help your Friend, Teen, or Child

How to Help a Friend

  • Listen without judging.  Your friend may already feel embarrassed or responsible for the abuse.  Keep the lines of communication open and build trust.
  • Let her know the abuse is not her fault.  There is never an excuse for physical abuse, not drugs or alcohol, not a bad day at work, not stress.  It’s not acceptable, and no one deserves to be treated that way.
  • Tell her that this is a common problem, probably much more common than she realizes.  This happens to women from all different backgrounds; any woman can be vulnerable.  It is rare that the situation will improve without outside help; most likely it will get worse.  It’s OK to reach out for help -- it’s not a sign of weakness, but of strength.
  • Domestic Violence is a crime.  If she has been hit or physically assaulted in any way, she has the option to report the incidents to the police.  They can be reported to the law enforcement agency in the city where the crime occurred, or to the Sheriff’s Department for those incidents taking place outside the city limits.  There are advocates who can support her if she makes the decision to report.
  • Talk about having a Safety Plan in place in case of an emergency.  She may want to keep money, important documents, a change of clothes, and an extra set of keys in a safe place.
  • You can suggest she talk to someone at NEWS if she’s concerned about financial or legal issues, housing, safety, or has any other questions or concerns.
  • Recommend that your friend look at information on the internet like endabuse.org, which can help her evaluate the seriousness of her situation.   

Help Your Teen

Unfortunately, teen dating violence is extremely common.  As a parent, you may be concerned about behavior or signs you have observed which may indicate this could be happening to your child. Teens often spend much of their time communicating on-line, and there can be abusive communication happening through technology as well as in-person.  Threatening emails, constant texting, offensive chat room or social network postings, and monitoring by cell phone are forms of abuse if they are unwanted or unwelcome.

Some warning signs:

  • Isolation from friends and family
  • Personality changes
  • Change in grades
  • Emotional outbursts
  • Abuse of drugs and alcohol
  • Pregnancy
  • Unexplained injuries or bruises
  • Giving up an activity they love (chorus, sports, clubs, etc.)

The behaviors listed above are possible indicators which may be a result of an abusive relationship.  There could be other causes for these behaviors, but these concerns should not be ignored.  Trust your instincts.

Having a conversation with your teen about these concerns can be delicate.  Be aware of the timing of the conversation -- try to find a time when things are calm and you can have uninterrupted privacy.

You may want to start with “I” statements, such as, “I have noticed that you seem to have stopped hanging out with some of your friends.  Is everything OK?”  or  “ I’m concerned about your safety, I’ve heard you fighting with your boyfriend on the phone, can I help?”

It helps to have specific examples of things that concern you.  It is very important that you are not judgmental or overly critical of your teen, your objective is to help them, not to place blame.

Be a good role model with your own supportive, healthy relationships, and model the behavior you want them to repeat.  Conflict is normal in relationships – if possible, demonstrate and give examples of constructive conflict resolution.  You can guide your child to a web site which is specifically designed for teens: loveisrespect.org.

If you learn that your teen has been physically abused you can consider getting a restraining order on their behalf or contacting law enforcement.  If possible, you should try to guide them towards good decisions rather than forcing them to do something that they’ll resent.  However, their safety is the most important consideration.

You can always contact our 24-hour crisis line 255-NEWS to talk through your concerns.  We’re here to help.

Help Your Child

For children who are exposed to abusive situations at home, even as infants, the effects can be serious and long lasting.  They may experience difficulty concentrating and learning in school, have trouble with interpersonal relationships, and suffer from low self-esteem.
When a child’s environment is uncertain -- or scary -- the effects can carry over into problems such as teenaged drug abuse, pregnancy, and/or abusive relationships.  When kids have heard one parent being verbally or physically abused, they may think it was somehow their fault, or may feel frightened and helpless to protect themselves or their parent.  When one parent is abusing the other, there is always the fear (and the very real possibility) that it could happen to them.

NEWS offers support groups for non-offending mothers and their children.

  • These groups are designed to help children understand that it wasn’t their fault.
  • Kids learn that they’re not alone and that they have a safe place to talk about their fears and frustrations.
  • We work to rebuild self-esteem and help children learn ways to keep themselves safe.
  • NEWS offers other resources for kids as well as counseling services.
  • We can guide you to community organizations which offer other services such parenting classes, etc.

For information about ways you can help if your child has been exposed to violence at home, call our 24-hour number at 255-NEWS (6397).

What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other? -- George Eliot