January is National Stalking Awareness Month in the United States. Stalking is a crime that is always purposefully directed at a victim and involves repeated (two or more occasions) visual or physical proximity, nonconsensual communication, or verbal, written or implied threats, or a combination thereof, that would cause a reasonable person fear. A victim can be stalked by a stranger, an acquaintance such as a neighbor, colleague or casual friend or by a current or former intimate partner. Stalking is frequently used by perptrators of abuse to intimidate and cause fear in victims. Starting Point provides support and advocacy to victims of all forms of stalking. Starting Point advocates can assist in applying for a Stalking Order of Protection from the court as well as with any hearings that result, we provide emotional support and information on our 24 hour line at 1-800-336-3795, we welcome stalking victims to our support groups, offer emergency shelter to stalking victims and help stalking victims to increase safety in their situation. Click (more) to read important safety planning information for stalking victims.

Starting Point will be hosting a community discussion and educational event titled Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse: What Parents and the Community Can Do, Monday, December 5th at the Conway Public Library and Thursday December 15th at the Ossipee Public Library at 6:30 p.m. We will discuss how parents can talk with their children about personal body safety, how the community as a whole can work to prevent child sexual abuse and hold perpetrators accountable, and how to support children and families after abuse has occurred. Please call the office at 447-2494 for more information. Refreshments will be provided at this event, and we will work to provide transportation to those who have barriers to attending the event. Click here to view the flier.

Many individuals, businesses and organizations showed their support for victims of domestic violence in Carroll County by wearing purple ribbons on Thursday, October 27th, Starting Point's Annual Day of Solidarity. We deeply appreciate the support these people have shown for victims and we stand with them and the message they send: domestic violence has NO place in our community! Starting Point would like to sincerely thank the following groups:

White Mountain Community Health Center, North Country Fair Jewelers, Northern Human Services, Mason & Mason Insurance, Carroll County United, Lupine, MWV Radio, Kingswood Youth Center, MWV Psychological Services, Huggins Hospital, Northway Bank, Child Advocacy Center of Carroll County, Tri-County CAP, Carolyn's Tailor Shop, MWV Rotary, World Magic Gifts, and Harvest Market of Wolfeboro. 

Click More to see some photos of the groups that participated! 

Starting Point provides a wide variety of services for victims of domestic and sexual violence and stalking and their families. Check out this article to get an inside view of the work we do.

Since 1981 Starting Point has been advocating for and supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence in Carroll County. Along the way we have incorporated a mission to prevent violence and promote healthy relationships and a healthy community. Starting Point is honoring our 30 years by furthering our mission during October, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We are offering the community many ways to get involved in Starting Point’s important work.