Mission Statement / Philosophy

Mission
It is the mission of the Battered Women's Project to serve the needs of the victims/survivors of domestic abuse while working to end domestic violence in Aroostook County.

Philosophy
The Battered Women's Project is dedicated to the empowerment of battered women and their children and therefore committed to the elimination of interpersonal and societal violence. The Battered Women's Project believes violence is intimate relationships is supported and encouraged by our culture. The use of force or threat to achieve and maintain control is manifested in sexism, racism, homophobia, classism, anti-semitism, able-bodyism, ageism, and other oppresssions. The abuses of power in our society fosters domestic abuse by perpetuating conditions that condone violence against women and children.

Any woman could be battered. Our individual and collective success in overcoming oppression depends upon working together toward changing individual and institutional behaviors and societal attitudes that encourage the abuse of women and children.

The Battered Women's Project supports equality in relationships and opposes the use of violence as a means of control over others. Women have the right to safety, self-determination and control of their lives. Emotional support, accurate information and access to resources strengthen women's control of their lives.

In order to create a violence-free world, we must also recognize the needs of all children. Children who grow up in violence often suffer from confusion, stress and trauma. Children have the right to safely, food, shelter, education, love and respect. They have the right to live free from abuse. Children have the right to information to make choices and to have their ideas and opinions valued. Therefore it is the responsibility of the BWP to be among those who protect and promote children's right.

The Battered Women's Project strives to make the societal changes necessary to eliminate interpersonal and societal violence against women and children through changing individual behaviors, insisting that those who batter are held accountable for their abusive actions, participating in quality community collaborations, and conducting activities that promote family violence prevention, intervention and increase public awareness

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