The subject of domestic violence is never easy to address – what’s even harder is living day- to-day in a relationship where abuse has tragically become a way of life.
The organization known as Domestic Violence Crisis Services, already providing services to those in need in Marshall County, has now widened their scope:
WEIS Radio recently welcomed Tonya Womack to the studio to discuss some of the ways in which victims can reach out and get the help they need.
Sadly, those in need are often reluctant to ask for assistance and many victims fail to get the help they need simply because they don’t know where to turn
The new center assisted almost 20 victims within just the first few weeks of opening.
DVCS operates a shelter, Kelley’s Rainbow, for victims of domestic violence – and can house up to sixteen victims. In addition to a shelter the agency operates a 24/7 crisis line to assist victims at (256) 891-0019. Many of the victims that come to the shelter have fled a violent situation and don’t have anything except the clothes on their back.
The agency will provide clothing and personal items (such as a toothbrush, deodorant etc.), assistance in obtaining housing and jobs.
DVCS also operates additional programs within the agency such as Community Education, Outreach, Court Advocacy and Victim Advocacy.
Those Community Educators work with each school within the coverage area to speak with students about domestic violence prevention, healthy relationships and signs of domestic violence. A program called “Safe Dates” is used within the program. Community Educators also attend speaking engagements promoting domestic violence awareness and prevention.
That Outreach Program goes along with the speaking engagements to distribute brochures throughout the communities and offers services to the victims. The advocates are able to provide a resource list of services to those in need.
The Court Advocate and Victim’s Advocate Coordinates assist victims of domestic violence with the completion of PFA’s (Protection From Abuse Orders). Once a PFA is completed the victims will take the order to the circuit clerk to be sworn in and the PFA will then go to the judge for approval. Those Court Advocates attend court with the victims to offer emotional support so they don’t have to be alone during the process.
The new satellite office in Ft Payne which opened on October 3rd 2016 proves assistance to both men and women. Approximately 88% of the victims served by DVCS are women while 12% are men. Domestic violence affects all ages of people and every socio-economic status.
In addition to the 24/7 crisis line at (256) 891-0019, you can contact the Domestic Violence Crisis Services organization through their website at www.dvcsal.org or the Facebook page at Kelley’s Rainbow / DVCS
Simply click the link below to hear the entire WEIS Radio interview with Tonya Womack
Domestic Violence Crisis Services
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The mission of our agency is to provide direct and indirect services to victims of domestic violence in Cherokee, DeKalb, and Marshall County, Alabama. We will accomplish this by providing direct client services that include victim advocacy, case management, counseling, shelter and referrals to area resources. We strive to provide education to the general public, school systems, local area agencies and civic groups about domestic violence and the impact it has on our community. We will provide a coordinated response to domestic violence with law enforcement and the court system. The isolation that is present in domestic violence increases when the victim lives in a rural community, they are often unaware that there are services available to them to help them live safely in their own homes. Thus, awareness of our support to all residents of our tri-county area affected by domestic violence is of utmost importance to our mission. We offer the following programs: |