Project SAGE is proud to inaugurate 2025 as the Year of Digital Safety.
January 2025 Resource Roundup
This short talk sponsored by Safety Net Project gives a brief overview of how technology intersects with abuse. Watch now.
ARTICLE: Latest Trends: Intimate Image Abuse
As the use of intimate images and videos to cause harm continues to evolve, it’s important to stay current on this issue – but that’s easier said than done! This article shares multiple resources that shed light on this disturbing phenomenon. Click to read.
WEBINAR: Healthy Masculinity in the Age of AI: Navigating Challenges to Relationships & Identity
Watch this EndTAB webinar for a timely and urgent discussion with masculinity expert Dr. Saed D. Hill about the state of healthy masculinity in the age of Artificial Intelligence - and the rapid challenges this technology presents in engaging men and boys today. Watch now.
TOOLKIT: Technology Safety & Privacy
Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking often need information on how to be safe while using technology. This toolkit contains safety tips, information, and privacy strategies for survivors on the use of technology. Get the toolkit.
WEB RESOURCE: 4 Digital Safety Resources: 20+ Languages
The value of providing resources to survivors in their native language cannot be overstated. These can often be hard to come by or locate when needed - and this is true for digital safety resources as well. These four multilingual and culturally-informed resources focus on increasing digital safety. Explore now.
RECURSO EN ESPAÑOL: La intersección entre la trata, la violencia domestica y la technología
Esta breve charla patrocinada por Safety Net Project ofrece una breve descripción general de cómo la tecnología se cruza con el abuso.
Our Year in Review
As a new year approaches, we look back at the past 12 months with gratitude and appreciation for all those who make our work possible. It has been a year of growth and change. In 2024, we welcomed a new Executive Director, a new Director of Development, and several new Advocates. We also inaugurated a new Board Chair, and two new members joined our robust and engaged Board. Our October events marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month exceeded all past participation, with over 80 community members attending our Vigil honoring those who lost their lives to domestic violence in Connecticut and more than two dozen participants raising awareness about safe public spaces at Take Back the Hike, held in conjunction with Kent Land Trust. Project SAGE was a regular presence at community events throughout 2024, including the Kent Farmers Market, North Canaan Railroad Days, Sharon on the Green, Salisbury Fall Fest, Cornwall Ag Fair, and many more. And of course, Project SAGE continued its work of supporting, advocating, guiding, and educating by training scores of volunteers, teaching hundreds of workshops, answering thousands of hotline calls, and sheltering dozens of survivors of domestic violence. None of this vital work would be possible without the steadfast support of our community – you.
All of us at Project SAGE wish you a safe and bright new year and hope you will join us in 2025 as we continue our commitment to ending relationship violence and building a healthier, safer community for everyone.
December 2024 Resource Roundup
ARTICLE: You Can Call a Hotline Even If You Don't Want to Leave
Contrary to what many believe, shelter hotlines are not only for people who are looking for a safe escape from domestic abuse; the trained advocates on the other end of the phone are also ready to provide information and resources to a wide range of callers. Whether you are in a relationship that is feeling problematic—but you’re not quite sure if it’s abuse—or you’re worried about someone else who is being abused, consider the ways calling a hotline might help answer some of your questions. Read these 10 questions.
APP: Empowering decisions for a safe path forward
myPlan is a free app offered in English and Spanish to help with safety decisions if you, or someone you care about, may be experiencing abuse in an intimate relationship. It’s private, secure, personalized, and backed by research with domestic violence survivors involved every step of the way. myPlan provides anonymous questions about you and the relationship, and your answers will customize myPlan to your situation. Explore now.
VIDEO INTERVIEW: Pauline Stuart: I Want Parents to Know the Truth About Sextortion
Pauline Stuart's story is one every parent needs to hear. After losing her son Ryan, a victim of sextortion, she has become an advocate determined to educate others on the dangers and rapid escalation of this crime. Watch Pauline share her experience and learn vital lessons to help protect your own family. Read now.
ARTICLE: How Self-Compassion Can Help You Deal With Stress
According to new research, self-compassion may help people use more effective coping strategies and in turn feel better. Read more to learn how we can set ourselves up to approach stressors in a healthier and more productive way. Read now.
ARTICLE: What Does Mental Abuse Feel Like?
Mental abuse, a combination of verbal abuse and emotional abuse, is one of many tactics abusers use to exert power and control over a partner. Learn how mental abuse tears down self-worth – and what can be done about it. Read now.
Welcome our new Director of Development, Sara Gunn
In this season of celebration, we at Project SAGE are celebrating the newest member of our team, Sara Gunn!
Since mid November, Sara has been Project SAGE’s Director of Development, and she comes to us with a wealth of experience. Most recently she was with the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, where she collaborated with her team to raise over 4 million dollars during her tenure and cultivated strong partnerships in the community. Sara explains that her entire career has been devoted to the nonprofit sector and that she has only been able to work for non profits whose mission she deeply believes in -- something that is no different with Project SAGE. Not only was she drawn to Project SAGE because of our mission of fostering healthy relationships and social change but also because of our organization’s long legacy and the success of the Trade Secrets fundraising event. She feels that any organization that has that level of success has something very good going on. Since coming on board Sara says she has appreciated the welcoming and supportive work environment and is continuing to feel enthusiastic about her role here.
When she’s not busy securing financial support for our nonprofit, Sara enjoys vegetarian cooking and home improvement projects where she lives in Dutchess County. Project SAGE is thrilled to welcome her on board, and we are enjoying having her as part of our team!
Survey: Gender-based Violence & the Workplace
The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) and Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence (Alliance) have partnered to issue a survey through the U.S. Department of Labor Fostering Access, Rights, and Equity (FARE) Grant Program. Our goal is to build awareness and provide education that is survivor-centered for both employers and employees across the state. You can help inform the development of training and technical assistance tools by taking a brief, 15-minute anonymous survey.
Purpose of the Survey:
Assess Awareness: We aim to understand the current level of awareness and knowledge around gender-based violence in the workplace.
Inform Training: The insights gathered will help us create effective training programs tailored to your workplace.
Develop Strategies: We will use the data to implement worker and survivor-driven strategies to reduce and prevent gender-based violence.
Our Objectives:
Connect Survivors to Resources: We aim to link women workers and other survivors to domestic & sexual violence services, benefits, and legal assistance.
Empower Leadership: We strive to encourage women and survivors to become leaders in their communities on issues of gender-based violence and harassment.
Enhance Workplace Policies: We will support employers to develop workplace violence policies and procedures that are worker and survivor-centered and trauma-informed.
Increase Utilization of Resources: Our goal is to boost the knowledge and use of workplace benefits and community resources.
All responses are anonymous and will be kept confidential, used solely for the purpose of enhancing our project. Your participation is voluntary, and you can skip any questions you are not comfortable answering.
Thank you for your time and valuable input. Together, we can make a significant impact!
This information in this post and survey came from the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV).
'Tis the Season to Give
It feels good to give during the holiday, knowing that you've made someone happy or given them what they need. Research proves there are even health benefits to giving. If you're curious, you can read all about it here.
At Project SAGE, we try to give our clients what they need to build futures free from violence, and we rely upon the support of our community to do so. That means YOU!
Please consider making a donation this holiday season and give the gift of a safer and brighter future to families in crisis.
Local Teen Supports Project SAGE’s Work
Local teen, August Donner, has been coming up with some creative ways to support Project SAGE!
When August heard about kids who have to leave their home quickly, without taking any of their belongings, he was moved to do something with them in mind. He organized a toy and book drive to help give them something of their own to soften the upheaval they may be experiencing when they arrive at Project SAGE. August found that asking local bookstores for donations was hard, but he reported they were really nice. His efforts resulted in four boxes filled with new toys and books.
Not only has August taken the initiative to support children, he also organized a fundraising hike this autumn to financially support Project SAGE. August and his Dad hiked a 12-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, going up to an elevation of 3,300 feet in 6 hours, and generating over $3,000 in donations.
Generosity from community members, of either money or time goes a long way in the work that Project SAGE does, and August gave both. Although he is only 14, two years younger than the 16 year age requirement for certified Project SAGE volunteers, August says that he’s already hoping to join our volunteer team in a few years. We are so glad to have August Donner in our corner!
Learn how you too can help Project SAGE
November 2024 Resource Roundup
PODCAST: Connecting in Polarized Times
The holidays can be a time of connecting with family and friends. It can also mean experiencing tense moments of disagreement possibly over the Thanksgiving table. Calm and equip yourself by cultivating a sense of curiosity about the people in our lives with this 10-minute meditation. Click for calm.
ARTICLE: Your Partner Can’t Always Be There for You, But Self-Care Can
As we recognize the stress of the past weeks and the whirlwind of the upcoming holiday season, take a moment to assess how you and your loved ones care for themselves. This short informative piece from One Love breaks down what self care means and how we can tend to our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. It’s not an indulgence to cultivate a self-care practice, but a necessity and something we all deserve! Read now to take action.
FACT SHEET: Deepfake Nudes and Other Trends in Youth Behavior Online
With new technology comes new risks. Use this information from Thorn, a technology nonprofit that fights child sexual abuse, to learn how “deepfake” nudes exist in the lives of young people today. By knowing more we can all help to be ahead of the technology and encourage youth to think critically about how they these technologies are being used and how they can stand for healthy relationships in their lives. Read here.
CALL TO ACTION: Pass the Survivor Model in 2025
Take a moment to join the National Center on Sexual Exploitation in encouraging legislators to pass the Survivor Model to protect victims of the sex trade. It is critical that legislators consider the Survivor Model in 2025 to ensure that sex buyers are held accountable for perpetuating the harms of the sex trade. Click to take action.
Thinking about Our Community This Week
Dear Project SAGE Community,
For many of us, this week’s election was a highly anticipated one, with people experiencing significant stress about the outcomes either way at the local, state, and federal levels.
Stress can sometimes make us feel more escalated.
At Project SAGE, when a client is experiencing escalation in a relationship, our client-centered, trauma-informed approach is to safety plan.
Therefore, if you are currently feeling escalated, here are some things we can offer:
Identify safe people with whom to talk.
Identify strategies that are self soothing for you.
Stick to your schedule.
Be honest with yourself about when, where, and how you can engage in difficult interactions.
Remember that healthy communication is specific, curious, includes clear boundaries, and respects the reality that multiple perspectives can be true simultaneously.
As a community-focused organization dedicated to creating social change to end interpersonal relationship violence, we remain committed to advocating for and supporting victims and survivors, as well as challenging attitudes and beliefs around power, control, and gender norms.
A reminder that our 24/7 hotline is always available for support.
FOR SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, REFERRALS OR EMERGENCY SHELTER
24 HOUR HOTLINE (860) 364-1900
SIMPRE HAY AYUDA DISPONIBLE:
PARA SOPORTE, DEFENSA, REFERIDOS O REFUGIO DE EMERGENCIA
LÍNEA DIRECTA LAS 24 HORAS (860) 364-1900
Project SAGE leaders clarify misconceptions about domestic abuse
Republican American
For folks who may not remember the history of Project SAGE: In 1979 several local women in the Northwest Corner identified the need for services for women experiencing domestic violence.
Take Back the Hike highlighted scourge of domestic violence
The Kent Dispatch
Surrounded by the quiet beauty of fall’s changing colors, Project SAGE and Kent Land Trust recently co-hosted the second annual Take Back the Hike event.