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Project Against Violent
Encounters
Shining a light on a new way of living
and making it possible through support
and resources
F
them without the use of violence. The program is provided
or the past 42 years, PAVE has been a vital resource
at no cost to the hosting organizations, and in 2022 more
to survivors of domestic violence in our community
than 400 area children benefited from the life lessons
as well as source of hope for ending the cycle of
shared.
violence.
In addition, PAVE provides community training for
According to Lindsay Brillon, M.Ed., LSW, Executive
support agencies throughout the area to help them more
Director of PAVE, “While domestic violence happens to
effectively engage with survivors. “Very often, people in
an individual, it’s very much a community health issue.
domestic violence situations are encountering different
Factors ranging from a lack of economic opportunity
agencies including the police, EMTs, or substance abuse
and strict gender roles to substance use disorders and
treatment centers. We work with and provide training to
untreated mental health issues, all play a part in limiting
those agencies to ensure they are sensitive to the delicate
the kind of life an individual believes they can live or even
nature of these types of situations so they can work with
feel they deserve. It’s our job to help them to, first, recognize
individuals in a way that doesn’t trigger trauma or cause
that there is a way to live differently and then, to connect
anyone to feel shame.”
them to the resources that make taking that
first step away from a life of violence
Guiding people down the path to
“Many people think
possible.”
Breaking the cycle of
violence through education
and compassion
a better life
of PAVE as a place to turn
Even in the best of circumstances,
when there’s been an incident.
navigating the legal system can
be extremely challenging. This
And we are that resource.
is especially true for victims of
But we’re also focused
abuse who often feel intimidated
on breaking the cycle of
by the inherent judgmental
aspects of the courts, etc. To help
violence.”
Based in Bennington, PAVE
provides a range of services
to individuals throughout
Bennington County.
them through this all-important
“Many people think of PAVE as
– Lindsay Brillon, M.Ed., LSW,
process, PAVE provides a legal
a place to turn when there’s been
Executive Director of PAVE
advocate who attends hearings with
an incident,” says Brillon, “And we are
clients; assists with paperwork—including
that resource. But we’re also focused on
Relief
from Abuse orders; explain procedures;
breaking the cycle of violence.”
educates clients on how best to utilize the police;
Towards that end, PAVE works with local elementary
provides referrals to social service agencies that provide
schools, preschools, daycares, and after school programs to
access to food stamps, assistance with employment and
teach children how to identify their emotions and express
housing and childcare; and, in general, helps individuals
24 | HEALTHY+ | WINTER–SPRING 2024