Artemis Center For Alternatives To Domestic Violence

WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO EMPOWER SURVIVORS TO HEAL AND LIVE FREE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

HOTLINE - WHILE 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, SUPPORT, AND HELP ON OBTAINING A CIVIL PROTECTION ORDER. THE HOTLINE IS TRULY A LIFELINE FOR SURVIVORS. ARTEMIS CENTER SERVED 7,363 CALLS VIA HOTLINE IN 2023. OUTCOMES: 1,007 CALLERS COMPLETED A SAFETY PLAN WITH HOTLINE ADVOCATES. OF THOSE, 968 AGREED THEY WOULD UTILIZE THE PLAN IF FEELING UNSAFE.

ADVOCACY - ARTEMIS CENTER IS BASED ON A THEORY OF EMPOWERMENT, MEANING THAT THE SURVIVOR IS FREE TO MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES ABOUT WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR SAFETY AND WHAT SERVICES THEY DESIRE. THIS IS CRITICAL FOR AN INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE SURVIVOR, WHO HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO THE POWER AND CONTROL OF THEIR BATTERER. THE ADVOCATE INFORMS THE SURVIVOR OF THEIR OPTIONS AND SUPPORTS THEM IN THEIR CHOICES. WE WORK WITH, RATHER THAN FOR, THE CLIENT. WE ALSO WORK WITH EMPLOYERS, LANDLORDS, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER PROVIDERS TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND AND PROPERLY RESPOND TO THE SURVIVOR'S SITUATION. MANY SURVIVORS FEEL ALONE AND HAVE BEEN ISOLATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. OFTEN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT IS ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE SERVICES WE CAN PROVIDE. WE ALSO EDUCATE SURVIVORS ON THE COURT PROCESS AND GO WITH THEM TO COURT WHEN NEEDED. WE HAVE LIMITED DIRECT MATERIAL ASSISTANCE (FUNDS TO CHANGE DOOR LOCKS OR PURCHASE BUS TICKETS, FOR EXAMPLE) THAT WE PROVIDE ALSO. 1,314 CLIENTS WERE SERVED BY OUR ADVOCACY PROGRAM IN 2023.

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 SURVIVORS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE THROUGH INDIVIDUAL THERAPY. A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES ARE USED TO HELP CHILDREN OVERCOME THE EFFECTS OF WITNESSING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE. WITHOUT SUCH TREATMENT, IT IS LIKELY THAT CHILDREN WILL EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS SUCH AS DEPRESSION, LEARINING DIFFICULTIES, BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND VIOLENT RELATIONSHIPS IN ADULTHOOD. TREATMENT CAN IMPROVE OR LESSEN THE EFFECTS OF THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE THAT MAY PLAGUE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS. IN 2023 ARTEMIS CENTER CHILDREN'S THERAPY SERVED 17 CHILDREN WHO HAD WITNESSED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AS WELL AS 15 OF THEIR CAREGIVERS.