Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence. Domestic violence can include physical, emotional, psychological, economic and/or sexual abuse. Abusers use threats, intimidation, isolation and other behaviors to gain and maintain power over their victims. OVER Following that, we’ll need a safety plan in place for the family members, a safe place for the victims to go, and a shelter provides that in the easiest fashion. When you get the person out of the dangerous situation and develop a safety plan, we can guarantee, at least initially, that they are going to be safe.” Where can victmims find shelter? Hamilton County victims must now seek shelter in Madison or Marion counties (at Alternatives Inc. or The Julian Center, respectively). Not being close to their jobs, local resources or schools is often the cause for prolonged shelter stays. 289,000 people live in Hamilton County, nearly 99,000 households Source: 2010 Census report HELP 4321 erty ’;lkj $#@! ERTY :LKJ Of Indiana’s 10 largest counties, Hamilton County is the ONLY one without a domestic violence shelter. Due to lack of shelter, Hamilton County victims who go to Alternatives stay 24 OUR NEIGHBORS NEED Serving the task force as a service provider is Susan Ferguson, executive director of Prevail. percent longer than victims from Madison County, on average. For many others, the lack of nearby shelter options has forced them to stay with their abuser. 1 in 4 families experience domestic violence at some time in their life. “Prevail is a crime victims agency serving all victims of And the calls are made to 12 local and state law enforcement agencies in Hamilton County crime,” Ferguson explained. “Our primary populations CARMEL POLICE 20% that we serve are victims of domestic violence and sexual CICERO POLICE 4% assault. We have a 24-hour crisis line and we can go out on 18% FISHERS POLICE calls. We’re available for safety planning over the phone as 16% HAMILTON COUNTY SHERIFF PER YEAR well. We help with safety planning, protective orders and 26% NOBLESVILLE POLICE TO POLICE other ways of making sure that they can keep themselves 10% WESTFIELD POLICE REGARDING 6% 6 OTHER safe. We know that leaving domestic violence is a DOMESTIC VIOLENCE dangerous time and can be lethal, so we feel that our safety planning is a way to save a life. We have many partners United Way and countyI was leaders to the a growing need of police from County Council ablerespond to talk to other chiefs and consider everybody in the community a partner. Certainly the other metropolitan areas in the county and asked them to come 2011 Alternatives is one of our partners and our primary referral for 2010as a show of support 2012 of the need for this type of and an indication UWCI consults with In August, UWCI convenes 2-1-1 reports that 42 percent Way of Central shelter. We provide many services, we don’t provide shelter and we United Inc. and Hamilton County Domestic of Hamilton County callers Indiana (UWCI) analysis facility. This is Alternatives a universal problem. Domestic violence doesn’t pick Julian Center exploring Violence Shelter Task fleeing domestic abuse reveals a growing need for know that is a critical lifesaving link as someone leaves a domestic a domestic abuse shelter. satellite options. Force representing were left without shelter any one community or demographic. 35 organizations. due to a lack of space. violence situation.” OVER 1,840 CALLS Source: Average number of calls to local and state law enforcement from 2009-2012. The support of the local law enforcement will be instrumental throughout this process and the task force knows it has strong partnerships with the county sheriff and chiefs of police throughout Hamilton County. Kevin Jowitt, chief of police for the city of Noblesville, gave an account of a recent demonstration of their support of the proposed shelter at a county council meeting last year. “We have realized for a long time that we need a shelter facility,” Jowitt said. “Our troops feel the need for this almost every day that they work. We have about 1,800 domestic violence runs in a year in Hamilton County. When a presentation was made to the Hamilton The idea is that we will closely mirror the concepts being used in Madison County — they’ll find themselves being taken to a very warm, friendly, caring place. They will know that they will be safe. Their children will be safe. The immediacy of safety that a shelter provides doesn’t create a long-term solution, but it is a doorway to a long-term solution. It allows for resources to start coming into place in a way that’s not being inhibited by the abuser to where we can allow a person to become established and independent.” Prepared to overcome the challenges that await them, this dedicated task force will continue to meet with potential stakeholders and potential partners for the Domestic Violence Shelter in Hamilton County in efforts to gain support for this cause. Guard aGainst identity theft. 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