Website Under Construction: We are currently tending to this website to make it a safe and helpful place for all. We ask for your patience as we add more resources. Please check back soon as we continue our work to serve our neighbors.
Peace in the home is a blessing every soul deserves. Merciful Neighbor is a group of local friends providing a bridge between plain communities and the support services available for those facing domestic violence and/or sexual abuse. We offer clear information, a listening ear, and a way to reach safety with dignity and respect.
Knowing where to turn is the first step toward healing. Below, you will find information gathered to help you understand your rights, your safety, and the help available in our local area.
Not sure where to start? Find educational resources to understand what abuse is, how to prevent it, and more.
Community is essential. Find connections with local counselors, mentors, churches, and more.
Looking to keep children safe? Find resources on how to stop child abuse in its tracks.
Seeking the truth is the first step toward healing. These common questions are answered with humility to help you discern the path toward peace for yourself and your family.
Domestic abuse happens when one person in a marriage or family uses their power to hurt, frighten, or rule over another. It is more than just a single argument or a "rough-patch" in a relationship; it is a pattern of behavior used to keep someone else "under their thumb" through fear, hurt, or shame
Abuse is a pattern of behavior used by one person to gain power and control over another. It is not always physical; it often involves the breaking of trust and safety in the home. It can look like:
- Physical harm: hitting, kicking, choking, shoving, not allowing someone to leave the house, or using objects such as knives and guns to cause injury.
- Emotional cruelty: Using threats, name-calling, or constant put-downs to make a person feel small.
- Sexual abuse — rape or forced unwanted sex acts
- Financial control: Taking complete hold of the family money or earnings so the other person cannot buy what is needed for themselves or the children.
- Isolation: Keeping a person away from their friends, their family, or their church community.
- Theft or destruction of personal property: Destroying personal belongings, stealing, or hurting family pets to cause fear.
- Threats to the vulnerable: Using the safety of children or other loved ones as a way to force someone to stay or obey.
If you are or someone you know is in immediate danger call 911. Please know that emergency services are there to help you and protect the vulnerable.
For non-emergency help, feel free to reach out to our hotline number at 717-801-1751, fill out our contact form, or check out our resource page for more information.
Your safety and privacy are our first concerns; we do not share your story with anyone in your community or church unless you explicitly ask us to walk that path with you.
In our community, we know that many hands make light work. To truly protect those who are hurting, we need a circle of support that includes both specialized skills and everyday kindness.
We are looking for Merciful Neighbors—individuals willing to walk the extra mile for a brother or sister in need.
There is a place for everyone in this circle:
- For Professionals: We need the guidance of lawyers who understand the shield of the law, counselors who can speak peace to a troubled soul, and medical folk who provide care with a gentle touch.
- For Everyday Neighbors: Your presence is just as vital. Help can look like:
- A Safe Ride: Providing discreet transportation to a doctor or a safe house.
- A Quiet Ear: Sitting with a survivor to listen to their story without judgment.
- A Helping Hand: Offering babysitting or a warm meal so a mother can find a moment of rest.
- A Solid Presence: Standing by a neighbor’s side during a court day or a difficult meeting.
- A Safe Space: Helping to ensure our church benches and homes remain places of sanctuary, not fear.
To find our more about joining our network of Merciful Neighbors, please fill out our contact form.