Wayne Uplift director talks about services
By John Joyce
Published in News on January 29, 2016 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Shari Wooten of Wayne Uplift speaks during a domestic violence and sexual assault discussion at the Wayne County Public Library Wednesday.
Hitting. Slapping. Punching.
Name calling and making threats.
Domestic violence takes on many forms, from controlling or withholding money for essential needs, to shaming and harassing, threatening to kill or cause harm to a loved one, even sexual assault.
And, of course, the beatings.
"We serve more than Wayne County It doesn't matter where you are from, and of course we have a safe shelter." Wayne Uplift Program Director Shari Wooten said.
"But a lot of people are misinformed or uninformed about domestic violence." community relations specialist
Mrs. Wooten spoke as the featured guest Thursday at the Wayne County Library in Goldsboro for one of EastPointe's monthly community education series, a program developed by Suzanne Lewis.
Mrs. Lewis said the speaker series is meant to inform the community about important issues and, in this case to help guide those in need toward avenues of support.
"It is happening. The more discussion there is about it in a public forum ( the better.) The object is to reduce domestic violence," Mrs. Lewis said.
A handful of women attended the speaker series, Thursday. Pamphlets with tips and information including warning signs of abuse and the steps to take in case of an emergency, like having a safety plan, were handed out to all.
"I just want the victims -- the survivors -- to know there are options other than staying in a domestic violence situation," Mrs. Wooten said. "Whether they are teenagers in high school, because we do see those cases, elderly, we've seen a huge spike in elderly and disabled cases here in Wayne County."
Domestic violence is not limited to spouses and those romantically involved, she said. It goes across all dynamics.
"At our program, there are many other things that we do besides the shelter. Not everyone that comes to us for help goes to the shelter. A lot of them never reach the shelter," she said.
Some victims come just to talk or to get referrals for counseling. Others need legal aide or help paying the bills. All are services Wayne Uplift provides -- at no cost -- to survivors and their families.
"Some of them want help with filing a protection order, or it could be that they want to move to another county so they need some form of financial assistance. It could be they just want somebody to talk to," Mrs. Wooten said.
Wayne Uplift's offices are located at 719 E. Ash St. The shelter, however, is a secure location which is never disclosed to the public. There are security cameras located inside and outside the shelter and access is strictly limited.
Each case is handled on an individual basis and a needs assessment is completed before any services are offered or accepted.
"We can serve up to 25 in our shelter. A person calls the help line. If we can get them in the door of our office, we do an intake with them and we ask them what is they want us to do, whether they want information, referrals, resources, financial assistance, and we take it from there," Mrs. Wooten said.
"If they say "I need shelter,' then OK, there are a couple of questions that you need to answer for everybody's safety, nothing else. That' is not going to be shared, just with our team."
The person is admitted, brought to the shelter and allowed to stay for a base of 90 days. People often stay longer, but some don't stay as long as others, everything is taken on a case by case basis, she said.
And if a person does not feel comfortable or safe enough at the Wayne County shelter, or if they feel like their abuser knows where they are, that person can be moved to another county.
Wayne Uplift works with shelters in several other counties, and sometimes takes in cases form other counties just the same.
Women and children are welcome, but men -- Wayne Uplift does offer help to men who are being abused -- are not allowed at the shelter.
"We serve men as well, but they cannot stay in our shelter. We have hotel accommodations if we have a male that needs shelter."
Mrs. Wooten said everything is funded by grants and donations.
The N.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence, United Way, House of Fordham, Family Violence, prevention, community donations and other agencies contribute to running the shelter. That money pays for the shelter, the utilities, food, clothing and other basic needs, Mrs. Wooten said.
Signs of abuse vary with each form of abuse. If a person continually embarrasses or makes fun of a victim in front of family and friends or tries to take away their ability to make decisions, that is abuse.
Using intimidation and threats to get their way, that is abuse.
Stalking, blaming, using drugs and alcohol to excuse their behavior and creating a culture of isolation and fear -- all are signs of abuse.
A wealth of information is available at Wayne Uplift and, if assistance is needed, there is a help line. The victim does not have to be the one to call. Family members or friends of someone who might be in trouble can call the help line at 919-736-1313. Translators are available over the phone and at the shelter.