Crisis Lines
Albion has two 24-hour domestic violence and sexual assault crisis lines that are available to provide information, referrals and emotional support.
Domestic Violence Shelter Program
The Shelter Program is designed to provide a variety of services for victims of domestic abuse and their minor children. Accessible through our 24-hour crisis line, service begins with on-phone assessment, crisis intervention, and transportation to the shelter, if necessary.
Program services to residents may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Needs assessment and goal setting as determined by the resident
- Information and referrals to other agencies (concerning housing, education, medical care, employment, etc.)
- Follow-up on the victim’s progress
- Legal advocacy services
- Group discussions on domestic abuse issues, facilitated by the Family Services Counselor
Residents and their minor children can stay at the shelter for up to 45 days, with 24-hour emotional support available as needed.
Legal Advocacy Program
The Legal Advocacy Program is designed to ease some of the stress and intimidation involved in dealing with the criminal justice/legal system. A legal advocate can help you through each step of the legal process and provide moral support.
Services Provided:
- Assistance with filing and information about:
- Protective orders
- Pro se divorces
- Police/sheriff reports
- Victim compensation forms
(forms available in county clerks office or online click here
(For more information on Protective Orders Click Here) - Accompaniment to:
- Police/Sheriff’s Departments
- Attorney’s office
- Prosecutor’s office
- Court (civil/criminal) for moral support and explanation
- Explanation of legal options and legal process, and what to expect throughout court proceedings
For a List of Local Government Web Page Listings Click Here
Peer Advocacy Program
The purpose of the Peer Advocacy Program is to provide information, emotional support and advocacy to victims during the “post-crisis” period. This program is a partnership between Albion Fellows Bacon Center and the Evansville Police Department, endorsed by the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence and the Mayor of the City of Evansville.
When police respond to a domestic violence call, the victim is informed that a peer advocate is available to talk to. If the victim chooses to accept, the police officer will contact Central Dispatch who will, in turn, call Albion to notify the advocate. The majority of such interventions will take place at Albion, the police station or by phone, based upon the desire and safety of the victim. Hospitals also have access to this service, so intervention may take place in medical facilities as well.
Victims have a right to expect a well-trained, professional peer advocate; therefore, adequate initial and ongoing training is a critical component of the program.
Intervention begins with listening & validating the victim’s feelings and expressing empathy without judgment of the victim’s actions or decisions.
Advocates are prepared to explain and discuss immediate services and options available such as safe shelter, protective orders, victim compensation, filing charges, and additional follow-up services.
Children’s Program
Children of today’s violent family are the future of tomorrow’s family-and thus have a strong potential to lead their family in the same violent direction as their parents have led them.
No place is better suited to break the chain than a shelter for battered families.
The program at Albion provides a safe, non-violent environment where children are comfortable sharing their innermost fears and concerns with someone they can trust.
Weekly groups, recreational activities and free play are wonderful opportunities to teach children interpersonal and communication skills, how to control and channel anger, how to develop a safety plan, and to reinforce that the abuse was not their fault.
We realize there is no way a shelter can effectively meet all the needs of a child. In an effort to meet the changing needs of the family, Albion maintains an active referral system with area service agencies. Help is available whether the needs are physical, social, educational, psychological or emotional.
Education and intervention are essential to breaking the cycle of violence within families. Children need to be provided with knowledge of family patterns and cycles of violence, substance abuse, and manipulative behaviors so they can better deal with the fears, ambivalence and frustrations of their future family relationships.
Children are not only our most valuable resource; they also hold the key to ending violence in generations to come.