Welcome to RESPOND
New England's first domestic violence agency and the second oldest in the nation, RESPOND, Inc. is a pioneer in the movement to end domestic violence. Its work began in the early 1970s, when four Somerville, Massachusetts women started a grassroots effort to support victims of domestic violence by opening their own homes as safe havens for women fleeing abuse. In 1974, these "founding mothers" formed RESPOND. For over 35 years RESPOND has provided life-saving shelter, support services, training and education to more than 75,000 members of the community. Services are free and confidential, and available to all survivors of domestic abuse.