Our Philosophy

Crisis Intervention Services believes in social, political, and economic equality of the sexes, as individuals and within intimate relationships.

We believe that violence, including domestic abuse, sexual assault, and other crimes results from the use of force or threats to achieve and maintain control over others in intimate relationships, and from societal abuse of power and domination based on gender, race, sexual orientation, class, religion, disability, age, and other oppressions. We recognize that the abuses of power in society perpetuate conditions which condone violence against women and children. These oppressions cannot be separated from our mission, for the oppression of one is the oppression of all.

We believe that domestic abuse and sexual assault cannot be adequately understood as solely family or individual problems. Intervention at these levels will never stop domestic abuse and sexual assault, although services to provide safety for survivors and their children are vital until such violence is ended. In many ways, our society supports the ideas that violence is an acceptable means of problem solving and that women are appropriate targets of violence.

We believe that survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault come from all socioeconomic classes, educational levels, racial and ethnic groups, sexual orientations, religions, and ages. While domestic abuse and sexual assault are not always committed by men against women, gender is the characteristic common to the majority of victims.

We believe that no one deserves to be abused or assaulted for any reason. Women in particular should not have to restrict their freedom of movement or their activities in order to be safe. We believe that survivors are not responsible for provoking the violence in any way; the person who chooses to use violence should be held accountable. Domestic abuse and sexual assault are real and devastating experiences within our society and the effects have serious and deep implications for survivors and those who care about them.

We believe that survivors have the right and capability of making decisions for themselves. Crisis Intervention Services can best serve survivors by offering them the opportunity to regain control over their lives through emotional support, resources, and advocacy. All of our services are free, confidential, and respectful of survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault and their children. We believe services should be culturally relevant. We strive to enhance and change our services to meet the needs of survivors in our community.