In 1975, The Partnership Against Domestic Violence began as an all-volunteer agency called the Council on Battered Women. It became incorporated in 1977, and today the agency has 23 full-time staff including personnel in its midtown administrative office, its offices in Douglas and Gwinnett counties, and in its two shelters. The shelters provided 20,500 shelter nights to 1,600 women and children, and more than 5,000 women attended The Partnership's support groups. 256 Temporary Protective Orders issued, and community education programs were presented to more than 8,000 people. The agency trains a large volunteer force that assists with the crisis line, shelter operations, support groups, and the parent-child program.
Volunteers also participate in the speakers bureau and help with administrative activities.
They are drinkers or nondrinkers. They represent different personalities, family backgrounds and professions. Battering is learned behavior. Many batterers grew up in homes where they or their siblings were physically abused or where their mothers were abused by their fathers. Batterers use physical force to maintain power and control in their relationships with their partners.