RUTLAND—Rutland County Women’s Network & Shelter has released a summary of fiscal year 2017. The shelter is a nonprofit organization serving women, men, and children in the second-most populous county in Vermont who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
From July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, RCWNS provided direct services to 924 individuals. Direct services include emergency shelter, medical advocacy, legal advocacy, case management, clinical services, support during sexual assault nurse exams, and other assistance.
Fiscal year highlights include providing emergency shelter services to 433 women, men, and children, resulting in 13,141 bed-nights, the most in the organization’s 38-year history. In fiscal year 2016, by contrast, RCWNS provided emergency shelter services to 58 women, men, and children for 4,205 bed-nights.
Additionally, in 2017, trained staff and volunteers responded to 645 calls on the 24/7 crisis hotline. Advocates also supported 221 individuals as they sought relief from abuse orders through the family court system.
RCWNS has seen an increasing number of male victims in recent years and provides comprehensive services to all, regardless of gender expression or sexual orientation, while working to end domestic abuse and sexual violence.
The organization relies on grants, private donations, town support, and fundraising events to cover operating expenses.
“We’re grateful for funding, which allows us to further our mission. Our aim is twofold: to provide victims of domestic violence and sexual assault with the support they need to become survivors, and to educate the community about violence in an effort to eradicate it,” said Avaloy Lanning, executive director of the Rutland County Women’s Network & Shelter.
