Artemis Center For Alternatives To Domestic Violence

LEADING THE COMMUNITY IN ITS COMMITMENT TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

WHEN LIVING IN DANGER, THERE MAY BE ONLY A SMALL OPPORTUNITY TO REACH OUT FOR HELP. THIS IS THE VALUE OF A 24 HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE WITH TRAINED STAFF TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SAFETY PLANNING. ARTEMIS PROVIDES A HOTLINE AS THE 24 HOUR POINT OF CONTACT FOR SURVIVORS. WE PROVIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION ABOUT HOUSING AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM, SAFETY PLANNING, SUPPORT, AND HELP ON OBTAINING A CIVIL PROTECTION ORDER. THE HOTLINE IS TRULY A LIFELINE FOR SURVIVORS. ARTEMIS CENTER SERVED 6,665 CLIENTS VIA HOTLINE IN 2021. OUTCOMES: 99% OF CALLERS COMPLETED A SAFETY PLAN WITH HOTLINE ADVOCATES. OF THOSE, 100% AGREED THEY WOULD UTILIZE THE PLAN IF FEELING UNSAFE.

ADVOCACY - ARTEMIS CENTER IS BASED ON A THEORY OF EMPOWERMENT,MEANING THAT THE VICTIM IS FREE TO MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES ABOUT WHATIS BEST FOR THEIR SAFETY AND WHAT SERVICES THEY DESIRE. THIS ISCRITICAL FOR A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR, WHO HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TOTHE POWER AND CONTROL OF THEIR BATTERER. THE ADVOCATE INFORMS THEVICTIM OF THEIR OPTIONS AND SUPPORTS THEM IN THEIR CHOICES. WE WORKWITH, RATHER THAN FOR, THE CLIENT. WE ALSO WORK WITH EMPLOYERS,LANDLORDS, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER PROVIDERS TO HELP THEM UNDERSTANDAND PROPERLY RESPOND TO THE SURVIVOR'S SITUATION. MANY VICTIMS FEELALONE AND HAVE BEEN ISOLATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.OFTEN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT IS ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE SERVICES WECAN PROVIDE. WE ALSO EDUCATE SURVIVORS ON THE COURT PROCESS AND GOWITH THEM TO COURT WHEN NEEDED. WE HAVE LIMITED DIRECT MATERIALASSISTANCE (FUNDS TO CHANGE DOOR LOCKS OR PURCHASE BUS TICKETS,FOR EXAMPLE) THAT WE PROVIDE ALSO. 651 CLIENTS WERE SERVED BY OUR ADVOCACY PROGRAM IN 2021.

CHILDREN'S THERAPY PROGRAM: FOR CHILDREN, HOME AND PARENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SAFE PLACES AND PEOPLE. THE CONFUSION AND TRAUMA OF GROWING UP IN A VIOLENT HOUSEHOLD WHERE THE VIOLENCE IS PERPETRATED BY THE VERY PERSON WHO IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT YOU, CAN HAVE PROFOUND EFFECTS UPON A CHILD. ARTEMIS CENTER SERVES THE YOUNGEST VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THROUGH INDIVIDUAL THERAPY. A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES ARE USED TO HELP CHILDREN OVERCOME THE EFFECTS OF WITNESSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WITHOUT SUCH TREATMENT, IT IS LIKELY THAT CHILDREN WILL EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS SUCH AS DEPRESSION, LEARNING DIFFICULTIES, BEHAVIORIAL PROBLEMS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND VIOLENT RELATIONSHIPS IN ADULTHOOD. TREATMENT CAN IMPROVE OR LESSER THE EFFECTS OF THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE THAT MAY PLAGUE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS. IN 2021, ARTEMIS CENTER CHILDREN'S THERAPY SERVED 53 CHILDREN WHO HAD WITNESSED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AS WELL AS 22 OF THEIR CAREGIVERS.