Crisis Call Advocacy Intervention and Referral Services

Victims that are in crisis or healing from past trauma of domestic violence and/or sexual assault can call our crisis call center for advocacy intervention services.  Our advocates will listen, assist with safety planning, let you know all that is available to help you break free from an abusive situation and get the help you may need.  They can help with protective order filing, giving referrals for shelter and provide services and programs appropriate for specific needs.

When domestic violence victims are ready to flee their abusive partners, they often do not have information and resources that they can turn to for safe shelter, guidance, and support services.  Frequently, victims have limited time and choices available in order to leave their abusive homes; therefore, it is imperative that agencies respond swiftly and appropriately when a victim calls for assistance. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center recognizes the importance of assisting domestic violence victims and their children with comprehensive services and a caring approach.  

The needs and services of domestic violence and sexual assault victims vary.  Common requests include: protective order filing, emergency shelter referrals, employment and job training resources, housing referrals, counseling/support groups, life skills training, food, medical care, insurance, childcare, and legal assistance.
Domestic Abuse (also called Intimate Partner Violence or Domestic Violence) is defined as "the use of power and control within an intimate relationship that threatens a person’s well-being."

A domestic abuser, or batterer, uses threats or acts of physical or sexual violence, emotional hurt, and threats to gain control through intimidation.  It’s a pattern of behavior, usually with repeated episodes of violence.  There may also be times when the abuse is less obvious. However, even one threat, or one abusive act, results in intimidation that is felt throughout the family.” (Source:  Domestic Violence Network)

In Indiana, in just one-day a 24-hour period of time 509 crisis line calls were received from domestic violence victims, 44,882 adult and child victims of domestic violence found refuge in emergency services, transitional housing, hotels, motels, or other housing provided by local domestic violence programs.
(Source: 17th Annual DV Counts Report)
On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.1  National statistics indicate that: 

- 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetime.1

- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experience severe physical intimate partner violence in their lifetime.1

- 1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked by an intimate partner during their lifetime to the point in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed.1

Unfortunately, most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police.  (Source:  National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – Domestic Violence Facts, www.ncadv.org)