Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate partner violence, also called domestic violence, "describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy" (CDC, 2005).

Approximately 18% of Guilford County adults ages 18 and older have been pushed, hit, slapped, kicked or physically hurt by another person. Of those who have been assaulted, 87% were assaulted most recently by someone they knew--
     current husband/wife or partner (11.8%),
     ex-husband/wife or partner (45.5%)
     relative or acquaintance (29.9%)
(Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2003)

Only 1% of people who were assaulted talked to someone working in domestic violence after the most recent violence occurred (BRFSS, 2003). SAFE Guilford encourages victims of intimate partner violence to contact agencies that can help:

Family Services of the Piedmont
336-387-6161 (Greensboro)
336-889-6161 (High Point)
Offers victim advocate services, including crisis intervention, victim support through legal and medical proceedings, a 24-hour crisis line, shelters for battered women and their children, a women's therapy group and a children's treatment group. In addition, groups for male batterers, and individual and family counseling. Also has extensive resource list.

Child Maltreatment
Child maltreatment, also called child abuse, affects people from all income levels, races and religions. In 1999, 5,255 children were reported as abused or neglected in Guilford County. Of those children, 1,710 were confirmed as victims and 1,019 of the victims were children under 6 years old (Family Services of the Piedmont, 2005).

Following are resources in Guilford County that address child maltreatment:

Childwatch, Inc.
336-887-8416
A comprehensive child abuse prevention program in High Point. Childwatch oversees the operation of Hallelujah House, a 24-hour crisis/respite nursery that serves children, from birth to 10 years old, at risk or involved in an abusive situation. Also oversees the CARE (Child Abuse Reduction Effort) program in the High Point schools. CARE is a 16-week program taught to 2nd graders by trained CARE police officers. "Never, Never, Never Shake a Baby" is an educational program provided to  new moms about the danger of shaking a baby, and the damage that may occur.

Family Life Council of Greater Greensboro
336-333-6890
Offers a five-week parent education program that helps fathers with young children understand their child's developmental needs and develop effective parenting skills. Designed to prevent child abuse and neglect and promote parent-child bonding.

Family Services of the Piedmont
336-387-6161 (Greensboro)
336-889-6161 (High Point)
Offers a full spectrum of comprehensive services to address child abuse and neglect. Includes prevention and intervention programs featuring assessment, counseling, advocacy, case management and education. Staff includes licensed counselors.

Guilford County Department of Public Health, Child Health
641-6667 (Greensboro)
336-845-7722 (High Point)
Offers the "Funny Tummy Feelings" program, a child abuse prevention program, for elementary schools.

Guilford County Department of Social Services, Child Protective Services
24-hour emergency: (800) 378-5315  
Greensboro Hotline: 336-373-3795 
High Point Hotline: 336-884-7866
Investigates reports of child abuse and neglect. Intervenes to protect children.