Transitioning Times

In today’s technology-driven world, many people turn to their smartphones when they have questions. Even more specifically, people may be turning to their phone’s smart assistant, such as Siri or Cortana to aid in this search.  Earlier this month, the Journal of American Medical Association published a study about these conversational agents and their responses to mental health, interpersonal violence, and physical health.   Apple has changed Siri’s responses to rape and abuse to provide the hotline number and website of RAINN.   RAINN’s national hotline number links locally to Transitions. There is still some work to be done, though.  Siri recognizes the word rape, but does not recognize phrases about not wanting to have sex, and someone having sex with you anyway.  As the survivor states in this article , many survivors struggle to name what happened to them as rape, or even abuse. Siri also does not offer to call RAINN, like it does for other com...

It’s almost time! In case you didn't know, our Northumberland County Safe House is relocating. We are moving from our current location into Shamokin, where it will be easier for our clients to access our services.  The safe house will accommodate more families with children, and we will also have an accessible bedroom for people with disabilities. If you would like to help make our new safe house a comfortable place for our clients' stay, you can donate to our safe house shower .  Transitions is registered at both Target and Bed Bath & Beyond.   We look forward to serving our community in our new location!

Domestic violence is not gender specific. There is often a preconceived notion that abuse only happens to women. However, statistics show that 1 in 7 men has been the victim of   severe  physical violence by an intimate partner in his lifetime . Of course, domestic violence is not limited to physical violence. Other forms of domestic violence against men include verbal abuse, belittling, possessiveness, jealousy, controlling and/or manipulative behaviors, and isolation. There are many reasons men won’t disclose violence in their relationship or leave an abusive partner. Due to gender roles imposed by society, men who experience domestic violence feel ashamed because they believe they are not fitting into the quintessential role of “protector” and “provider”.  Abuse to men is often minimized because society has created a culture that believes a man should be able to protect himself. Men also may not disclose because they fear losing custody of their children or they a...