Contact the Women's Commission if you desire to become a Commission member. In order to be considered you must:

1. be a woman residing in Cambridge;
2. be willing to commit to one Commission meeting per month;
3. possess an interest in women's issues and concerns.

Commission members interview candidates and make recommendations to the City Manager who makes the final appointments. Commission members are appointed for three-year terms.

Contact:

• The Women's Bar Association (227-0986)
• The National Lawyer's Guild, Boston Office (227-7008)

Both of these agencies have referral services for lawyers who are willing to work on a sliding-scale basis (according to need).

The Women's Commission cannot investigate or professionally evaluate a charge of gender discrimination. However, staff members will listen and offer referrals.

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) receives and investigates formal complaints of discrimination. You can reach them at 617-727-3990.

The Cambridge Human Rights Commission, a department of city government, also receives and investigates complaints. You can reach them at 617-349-4396.

The Women's Commission works closely with the Cambridge Police Department's Sexual Assault Unit. You can ask the Women's Commission to comfirm any information that the Police Department is able to release, or you can contact the Sexual Assault Unit directly at 617-349-3370. The vast majority of sexual assaults occur between people who know each other rather than between strangers.

In addition to the Cambridge Police Department, you can contact the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center is located in Cambridge at 99 Bishop Allen Drive. The Center provides individual and group counseling for sexual assault survivors and can be reached at 617-492-RAPE (7273).

The Child Care Resource Center in Cambridge maintains a list of area centers and provides information about available slots and income eligibility. Contact them at 617-547-9861.

The City of Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs provides a number of child care and out of school time programs. Review their offerings on the internet at www.cambridgema.gov and click on Human Services Department or call 617-349-6200.

The Women's Center, located at 46 Pleasant Street in Cambridge near Central Square, has lists of resources and provides peer-led support groups for women on many issues. The Center hosts programs and has lists of resources specific to lesbians as well as bi-sexual and transgender women. Review their mission and programs on the internet at www.cambridgewomenscenter.org or call them at 617-354-8897.

Seek help as soon as possible. Domestic violence becomes more dangerous over time. Domestic or intimate partner abuse can affect teenagers and elders. Some helpful telephone numbers:

Emergency                                                          911

Cambridge Police DV Unit (weekdays)               617-349-3371

Transition House Hotline (24 hours)                    617-661-7203

SafeLink (24 hours, English/Spanish)                   877-785-2020

Counseling for Batterers  -- Emerge                     617-422-1550

District Attorney’s Office   (restraining orders)      617-494-4430

Elder Abuse Hotline (24 hours)                            800-922-2275