LEAH (Let’s End Abusive Households) is Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona’s domestic violence prevention program for Jewish individuals and families affected by domestic abuse in the greater Tucson area.
“There’s no prejudice to domestic violence,” says LEAH Program Coordinator Andrea Siemens. “Domestic abuse occurs in all genders, ages, sexes, race, cultures, education levels and socio-economic categories. There is no religious prejudice, not even within the branches of Judaism. But one of the stigmas associated within the Jewish community is shanda (shame).”
Andrea says that LEAH tries to break the cycle of abuse through outreach, education and visibility throughout the Jewish community.
“There’s the perception that abuse doesn’t happen in the Jewish community. Even if it does, it’s somebody else, never you,” she says. “So often people don’t talk about what is really going on in order to avoid this perceived shame. As a result, people feel alone, that there’s no one in the community who they can talk to and trust, which leads to people suffering in silence.”
LEAH provides resource referrals, advocacy, intense therapy and counseling – for everyone affected in the household, but also one-on-one clinical services for victims of violence. Support groups are available for victims to share experiences, process feelings and get the necessary support. Andrea says they are currently developing educational programs that will focus on healthy relationships and healthy communication.
For more information about LEAH, including confidential referrals and assistance, call 520-795-0300, email [email protected] or visit jfcstucson.org
