WISE

WISE leads the Upper Valley to end domestic and sexual violence through survivor-centered advocacy, prevention, education and mobilization for social change.

“You are not alone. We’re always going to be here for you because we’re committed to 24-hour constant and safe accessibility.”– Peggy O'Neil, Executive Director

Since 1971, WISE has provided crisis advocacy and support for people and communities affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and trafficking within 23 towns of the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont. Every year, we support around 1400 people through the 24-hour crisis line, on-site emergency housing and housing advocacy, legal services, safety planning, groups, and in-person advocacy at the WISE Program Center, police stations, courthouses, hospitals, social service agencies, and at Dartmouth College.

Throughout the decades, we have always been and continue to be a consistent, stable, and survivor-centered resource, strengthening and expanding to fully support survivors’ needs. All of WISE services are confidential and free, and underlying all support is WISE’s commitment to survivor-centered advocacy. WISE is a trusted community organization that is available every hour, every day. Our work is very individual. It is survivor-centered and survivor led. People are encouraged and supported to decide what they want, when they want support, and for how long it is helpful. Research shows that the provision of advocacy greatly reduces the likelihood of re-victimization for people who have experienced domestic and sexual violence. 

“I try to focus on how I can help someone in the moment—listening to them, validating what they are feeling, and letting them know that they are not alone. I always hope that I have connected with the survivor and have offered them the support and information that they needed”– Crisis Line Volunteer

As an organization, we are committed to making sure that survivors have access to what they want, what they need, and what they deserve to have. WISE Advocacy has a team of experienced and highly skilled staff members, who have extensive training in the fields of trauma, and serve an important role listening and believing, and providing information and options so that survivors can make the best decisions for themselves. WISE helps survivors navigate legal, law enforcement, medical and mental health systems. While each has a particular area of expertise, they work together to support survivors holistically, providing trauma-informed advocacy within many different systems.

“That might look like offering someone a place to sit with some tea and a moment to collect themselves. That might look like meeting someone in various settings. Maybe meeting at the hospital. It could be meeting someone at court who’s trying to obtain a protective order, or meeting someone at a community organization, or on campus and just trying to develop that relationship.” - Bailey Ray, WISE Advocacy Manager

Photos by Chantelle Neily