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It's time to say eNOugh! Domestic and Sexual Violence is not tolerated in our community.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE THERE IS HELP!

  • Dial 9-1-1 for immediate, emergency help.
  • Helpmate, Buncombe County's domestic violence agency, offers a 24-hour hotline, shelter, counseling, court advocacy, and more. Call the 24-hour hotline at 828-254-0516 or learn more at www.helpmateonline.org.
  • Our VOICE, Buncombe County's sexual assault response agency, provides a 24-hour hotline, counseling and support. Call the hotline at 828-255-7576 or learn more at www.ourvoicenc.org.
  • The Buncombe County Family Justice Center is one safe place where you can access services from several partner agencies including: Helpmate, Our VOICE, Pisgah Legal Services, Mountain Child Advocacy Center, Mission Health, Asheville Police Department, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, Buncombe County Health and Human Services and the District Attorney’s Office. You can reach the Family Justice Center at 828-250-6900.
  • eNOugh NC is an online resource focused on the prevention and response to domestic violence.

Why We Must Act

Domestic Violence is too often a silent problem across communities.

Did you know...

  • Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury and 7th leading cause of death for women in the United States.
  • It is the number one reason women and children become homeless in the U.S.
  • 1 in 4 women will report violence at the hands of an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime.
  • 54% of employees living with domestic violence miss at least three full days of work per month.
  • A child's exposure to their father abusing their mother is the strongest risk factor for transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.
  • Domestic violence costs our community over $6.7 million each year.

How You Can Help

Be an Up-Stander — A simple guide for standing up against violence and supporting survivors in Buncombe County.

What is an Up-Stander?

An up-stander is someone who steps up when they see or hear behaviors that excuse domestic or sexual violence. Stepping up does NOT mean putting yourself in danger or increasing the risk to others.

When you are an up-stander, you help stop patterns in our community that contribute to violence. By stopping these patterns you help break the cycle of violence.

Here are a couple of basic ways that you can be UP-STANDING!

Up-Stander Basics — Ways you can stop violence

  • Speak out against violence and threats.
  • Challenge attitudes that blame victims for what happened to them.
  • Stand up when someone is belittling their partner or treating their partner as a possession.
  • Don't support songs or shows or laugh at jokes that make light of sexual assault or domestic violence.
  • Encourage your friends to talk about respect and consent in relationships.

The Essential Up-Stander To-Do List

  • Believe them.
  • Let them you know it's not their fault.
  • Listen.
  • Tell them they are not alone.
  • Connect them to someone who can help them create a safety plan.
  • Support their decisions.
  • Let them know you care about their safety and that they deserve a healthy relationship.

Be Up-Standing Locally

  • Volunteer. Family Justice Center partners have volunteer opportunities. Check their websites for more information.
  • Donate money or wish list items to Family Justice Center Partners.
  • Invite a speaker to your school, workplace, faith community or any group you belong to. FJC Partners offer free community education and professional training that can be tailored to your group.
  • Support state and local policies that assist survivors and increases accountability for offenders.
  • Spread the word, domestic and sexual violence are not tolerated in Buncombe County.

Resources & Partners

Download Printable Media. View Current Sponsors.

Project Still Standing - Break the Silence!

Survivors of domestic and sexual violence are sharing their stories of hope and strength to help inspire our community to stand up against domestic and sexual violence and give victims the courage they may need to come forward.