Causes: Child Abuse Prevention, Crime & Law, Domestic Violence, Hot Lines & Crisis Intervention, Mental Health, Sexual Abuse Prevention, Spouse Abuse Prevention, Suicide Prevention

Mission: Independence House helps all domestic violence and sexual assault victims, survivors and their children by creating opportunities to find safety and empowerment through crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling, referral, outreach, prevention and education.

Target demographics: Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Survivors and their children

Direct beneficiaries per year: 10,770 lives empowered and well-being restored.

Geographic areas served: Barnstable County

Programs: Independence House is the only comprehensive community-based organization on Cape Cod providing free and confidential specialized services and widespread programs for children (ages 5+), teens, adults and the later-in-life community who are survivors of, or impacted by domestic or sexual violence. All Independence House staff meet the statutory requirements of The Massachusetts General Laws (MGL Chapter 233, Sections 20J and 20K).

Since 1979, Independence House, Inc. has been sharing knowledge and skills with survivors in order for them to regain self-confidence, make informed decisions and initiate changes in their lives in order to live empowered, independently, and free from violence.

Independence House has been a consistent and continuous leader in increasing safety options for adult and children survivors of domestic and sexual violence; increasing knowledge and awareness about domestic and sexual violence prevention; elevating and improving Cape Cod’s response to domestic and sexual violence; and actively engaging with the community to end domestic and sexual violence.

Independence House offers assistance through the following programs:
Domestic Violence
Sexual Violence
Children Exposed to Violence
Child Sexual Abuse
Emergency Shelter
Teen Program
SAFEPLAN Court Advocacy
Prevention, Education and Outreach
Abuse and Disabilities
Abuse in Later Life
Homicide Survivor Program
Housing Stabilization

Independence House provides culturally and linguistically appropriate individual and group counseling opportunities that incorporate psycho-educational sessions addressing the myriad of issues related to and resulting from domestic and sexual violence including planning for safety in the present and future, and advocacy that results in life-changing skills for emotional, mental and financial health.

Independence House operates a 24-hour hotline and emergency domestic and sexual violence shelter; offers legal advocacy with a staff attorney; assists with safe home and shelter searches; provides medical and police accompaniment for sexual assault survivors at Cape Cod police departments and hospitals; and offers child care for survivors during the time they attend Independence House services.

Independence House’s capacity to effectively and positively impact the lives of people who are victims of domestic and sexual violence is greatly enhanced through committed collaborations and advocacy, individually and with systems. Ongoing services are provided for women who are victims of domestic violence and who are also incarcerated. Collaboration with other service providers are in place to enhance trauma informed services that include on site groups at various community agencies, which serve domestic violence and sexual assault victims at their point of entry into services.

Independence House offers training for individual organizations and groups on topics related to sexual and domestic violence, healthy relationships and the prevention of domestic and sexual violence. Additionally, in collaboration with the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office and the Immigration Resource Center, funded in part by the Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) Independence House provides sexual and domestic violence training for law enforcement officers, prosecution, probation/parole officers and victim witness advocates.