24-Hour Crisis Hotline (562) 437-4663 info@womenshelterlb.org

WomenShelter of Long Beach

Victim and Survivor Services
Welcome!

WomenShelter of Long Beach is here to help.

All of our services are free and confidential.

If you are a victim/survivor in need of immediate assistance including safe housing, please call our 24-hour confidential hotline at 562-437-4663 (562-437-HOME) to speak to one of our trained domestic violence advocates. Advocates are standing by ready to provide you with help, support, safety planning, and resources. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

Call the Domestic Violence Resource Center, 8:30am-5pm, at 562-437-7233 if you are in need of counseling, referrals, and help to leave an abusive relationship, or if you have already escaped.

All WSLB services are inclusive: all victims of domestic violence, including women, men, teens, children, and individuals in same-sex relationships are welcome at WSLB.

Services are provided in English and Spanish.

Services for victims/survivors include, but are not limited to the following:
Our Services

24-Hour Crisis Hotline

Trained domestic violence counselor advocates are prepared to answer calls from anyone who is experiencing domestic violence or dating violence. Operators provide support, assistance, and emergency referral services.

Residential Support – Emergency Supportive Housing

WSLB’s Emergency Supportive Housing offers immediate housing to victims of domestic violence and their children. At Shelter, clients are provided with supportive services such as case management, peer-counseling, legal and health advocacy, housing assistance, support groups, life-skills building, parenting education, and much more. All services are provided to help those whose lives have been affected by violence transition back into the community.

Non Residential Support – (Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC))

If you are a victim of domestic violence or dating abuse, or believe that you might be experiencing some form of intimate partner violence, you can stop by Monday through Friday (8:00am to 5pm) to meet with one of our specially trained domestic violence counselor advocates. Our advocates are prepared to offer client centered supportive services, crisis management, resources, and referrals.

If you are not in need of supportive housing services and require other nonresidential support you may enroll for free, confidential services offered at WSLB’s DVRC nonresidential center. Here, enrolled clients are offered intensive case management, support groups, peer-counseling, domestic violence education, legal and health advocacy, family services, life-skills building, parenting education, special self-esteem building workshops, and more.

Case Management & Peer-Counseling/Crisis-Intervention

Each victim/survivor at WomenShelter is paired with one of WSLB’s specially trained client advocates and receives intensive one-on-one counseling and crisis-intervention. Case management goals are established with the overall objective to remove as many barriers that prevent a client from living empowered, self-sufficient lives. Sessions are provided regularly to meet each client’s individual needs.

Support Groups

WSLB holds support groups twice a day in both English and Spanish. Set in a private space, support groups offer clients the opportunity to connect with other victim/survivors. Here, they can share stories, experiences, and build a network of support. Each group is facilitated by one of WSLB’s counselor advocates; all services at WSLB follow a trauma-informed philosophy.

Domestic Violence, Life-Skills, Parenting Skills, and Self-Esteem Education

All WSLB clients are offered domestic violence focused education to help them understand the dynamic nature of abuse, identify early warning signs of an unhealthy relationship, and much more. Education plays an important role in the prevention of future harm. WSLB’s education program offers important skill-building workshops to foster life-long learning and independence. The goal is to help the victim and their children break the cycle of violence.

Legal and Health Advocacy

WSLB’s Legal Advocacy Program helps domestic violence victims negotiate some of the more intimidating processes to moving forward toward a future that is free from violence. As a result of receiving the program’s services, victims of domestic violence will become educated about their legal rights, will be provided with individual counseling that helps to demystify the legal system, and will receive whatever hands-on assistance they need to negotiate the legal system. Ultimately, the process will empower service recipients and help them gain the confidence to advocate for themselves in a variety of arenas. Moreover, for those victims who are parents, the program will result in greater protection of children, in turn facilitating healthy childhood development and strengthening families.

LGBTQ Services

WSLB’s program is open to all victims of domestic violence. Our agency assists LGBTQ victims involved in domestic and intimate partner abuse/violence. WSLB’s Outreach Center hosts an LGBTQ group facilitated by the Center Long Beach.

Support for Male Victims

WSLB recognizes that men can be victims of domestic violence. All agency services provided through our supportive housing facilities and Domestic Violence Resource Center are also available to male victims of domestic violence. Contact the Domestic Violence Resource Center at 562-437-7233 or call our hotline at 562-436-4663.

Children and Youth Services

WomenShelter of Long Beach offers free supportive services to children and youth victims of domestic violence. Children and youth ages 7-17 may enroll to receive peer-counseling, support groups, and more. WSLB offers transitional age youth (TAY) ages 18-24 with services tailored to meet the needs of young adults experiencing or recovering from domestic abuse. In addition, any teen who is in, or might have experienced, an abusive relationship may participate in our special group that addresses the dynamics of teen dating violence. Here teen dating violence victims receive education, peer-counseling, and case management.

Family Services

Enrolled clients are offered individual family sessions where parents and their children work with a peer-counselor to increase family communication through honest and open conversations. These sessions, held in a supportive and safe environment, encourage parent-child bonding.

Referrals

Victim/Survivors seeking support are connected to local resources and support at no cost. Referrals include housing, substance abuse treatment, and support options for those who have family pets.

Food and Clothing

All victim/survivors are provided with food and clothing to meet their short and long-term needs.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cost associated with receiving supportive victim services at WSLB?

No. All victim services, including housing, are provided at no cost to victims and their children. 

Will you disclose any of my information?

All victim services are 100% confidential. All personal information is kept confidential unless there is previous consent from the client.  Please note that all WSLB staff are mandated reporters. 

Does WSLB provide services is Spanish?

Yes. All services are available and provided in both English and Spanish.

Does WSLB provide childcare?

Yes. WSLB provides enrolled clients free, safe childcare for children ages 2-12.

How do I enroll in nonresidential services?

a. Please call our confidential 24-hour crisis hotline, 562-437-HOME, 24 hours/7 days a week to enroll in nonresidential services. When you call, please make sure that you are safe and able to speak freely, as the call can take up to one hour to complete.

b. You can also stop by in person Monday through Friday* 8:00am-5pm to speak with one of our counselor advocates and complete your intake in person at the agency’s public Domestic Violence Resource Center.

*WSLB’s Domestic Violence Resource Center is closed on most major holidays.

Does WSLB provide supportive housing?
Yes. WSLB operates two confidential supportive housing facilities. Our domestic violence counselor advocates work with victims to determine what housing option and location will be the safest for them and their children.
Will I receive a certificate for completing Domestic Violence classes?
Yes. After successful completion of WSLB’s 16-Week Domestic Violence class, clients will receive a certificate.
What type of classes does WSLB offer?

WSLB conducts two separate classes for victims of domestic violence:

  1. 16-Week Domestic Violence Class (Certificate Class)
  2. 21-Week Life Skills, Parenting Skills, and Self Esteem Class
Does WSLB offer Parenting Classes?
WSLB provides 7 weeks of parenting skills as part of its 21-Week Life Skills, Parenting Skills, and Self Esteem Class; however, this is not a certificate class.
What days and times does WSLB hold its support group sessions/classes?
WSLB holds classes Monday through Thursday during the morning, mid-day, and late afternoon to accommodate a variety of schedules. Orientation for new clients typically occur twice a month on Friday mornings.
Who can receive services at WSLB?
WSLB provides services to all victims of domestic violence including women, men, children, and members of the LGBTQ community. No victim/survivor is turned away.