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News Our broad range of services help survivors interrupt the cycle of abuse and create lives free from violence.
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Haven House was founded in 1979 by the Coalition for Victims of Domestic Violence (now known as the Erie County Coalition Against Family Violence) and is a recognized leader in the provision of domestic violence services. Haven House works to prevent domestic and intimate partner violence and promote peace in the home. Our services for survivors include an emergency shelter in a confidential location and counseling to help individuals cope with the pain and trauma of violence in the home.
Haven House serves survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence ages 16 and older and their children. Haven House does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender or disability.
Anyone feeling unsafe in a relationship can call our confidential hotline at (716) 884-6000. Our trained, compassionate staff are available 24 hours a day to provide information and support.
Please pass along this number to anyone in need because most survivors of domestic violence are unaware of the resources that are available and how to secure help and emergency shelter. We can join together and make our community safer by ensuring that resources are easy to access.
Identifying Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence (DV) is abusive behavior—emotional, psychological, financial, spiritual, sexual or physical—that one person in an intimate relationship uses in order to control the other. Abusers use fear and intimidation to maintain power and control. Coercive tactics used by abusers include:
- Emotional/psychological battering
Verbal abuse (name-calling, belittling, swearing, screaming); isolation; limitation of free movement (taking keys away, refusing access to a vehicle or phone, restricting right to leave the house); stalking; sleep and nutrition deprivation; extreme jealousy; threat of abuse; killing or threatening to kill you, a loved one or even a pet - Financial/economic control
Withholding food or money, lying about assets, not allowing access to school or work, destruction of property, on-the-job harassment - Spiritual abuse
Undermining one’s faith, denying access to faith communities, using holy books and readings to maintain power and control - Sexual violence
Accusations of infidelity, forced sexual activity, marital or acquaintance rape, sexual abuse of your child - Physical abuse
Hitting, slapping, kicking, shoving, pushing, denial of medical care or medication, punching, using or threatening to use a weapon
DV occurs in all racial, social, economic, religious and ethnic groups. It can occur in heterosexual, gay and lesbian relationships and usually does not stop without intervention. Often, it becomes more frequent and more severe over time. The long-term results can be devastating for the survivor and the family.
Remember that DV is a crime. Abuse is never the fault of the survivor, and all people have a right to lead lives free from violence.
Emergency Services
