History

In the summer of 1985, both community members and social service providers met to discuss the need for a local agency dedicated to serving adult victims of domestic abuse and their children.  The group conducted a survey of local and statewide service providers in order to gather statistics, survey the problem, and generate solutions.  After analyzing the results, the group decided to open an agency to address the issues, incorporated under the name Batter Spouses Network.  Soon after, in an effort to clearly define its objective, the agency changed its name to the Network Against Domestic Abuse, Inc. of North Central Connecticut.  It defined its catchment areas as East Windsor, Enfield, Somers, Stafford, Suffield, and Windsor Locks.  The Network’s mission is to reduce the incidence of domestic violence and to assist adult victims and their children to live free of violence.

In the spring of 1986, the agency received a $20,000 start-up grant.  Using these funds, the board hired an executive director in May and a counselor advocate in June.  With a corps of trained volunteers, the hotline opened in July.  By the fall, the agency was also offering community support groups and court advocacy services.  Emergency shelter was provided through a series of safe homes.  In 1987, the agency received a $333,000 grant from the State of Connecticut to open a shelter for women and their children seeking refuge from their abusive homes.  The shelter, named the Tracey Thurman House, opened in January 1988.  Several counselors and a child advocate were hired to staff the shelter.

Since then, the agency has continued to offer emergency shelter, a 24-hour hotline, child advocacy, community outreach, support groups, information and referral, court advocacy, and volunteer training.  Over the past 10 years, the Network has received several grants leading to agency growth and outreach assisting clients.  Areas of growth include community education in area school systems, an adult advocate to increase community outreach, and the development of a batterers program.  In 2000, the Network Against Domestic Abuse, Inc. received an $188,000 grant from the Town of Enfield to construct a new building adjacent to the Tracey Thurman House for children’s programs.  The Children’s Center will be used to provide services to children while they are in the Tracey Thurman House.

The demand for agency services has grown each year since 1985.  In 2006, for instance, the victim advocacy program received a total of 1,833 referrals from the criminal court; initiated 6,767 advocacy, information and referral contacts on clients' behalf; community outreach, support and counseling services reached 2,589 clients; total attendance at community education presentations was 1,662; the Tracey Thurman House sheltered 139 women and children, and responded to 1,350 hotline calls.

The Network Against Domestic Abuse, Inc. operates under the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  All services are available without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, physical disability, or sexual preference.  All services continue to be free of charge.