here is some more info from the battered women's shelter for medina and summit counties website on the services they offer...
Support Groups
~ Welcome ~
Have you ever wondered how you could lead your life towards a positive future?
Would you like healthy relationships that are not characterized by abuse and fear?
The BWS Support Group is your invitation to help pave the way to healthy relationships. You may feel as if you are the only woman in the world who suffers from an abusive relationship - or maybe you are unsure if what you are experiencing is abuse. BWS Support Groups provide the opportunity to be involved with other women also experiencing common areas of concern and personal confusion.
Support Groups offer emotional support and information on various topics that will help attendees find the tools needed to cope and heal from a domestic violence situation.
Groups are helpful because they:
- Provide a safe space
- Decrease self-blame
- Decrease isolation
- Decrease denial and minimization of abuse
- Increase awareness of personal options
- Increase self-respect and autonomy
- Offer new learning provided by new members
Support groups are facilitated by trained employees and are available throughout Summit and Medina Counties, Monday - Thursday, day and evening. For those women who must seek protective shelter, support groups are also held at various times in both counties domestic violence shelters. Groups are completely confidential–last names are not shared unless volunteered - what is said in the room stays in the room.
The purpose of the support group is to help increase your knowledge of domestic violence, power and control issues, give you tools needed to cope and heal, and enhance your self-esteem. You deserve that.
The BWS support group is your educational resource and the opportunity to connect with other women who can be supportive in problem-solving and to your positive progress. Invest your time and energy in the most valuable person in the world...........YOU!
Support groups are free and all are welcome.
For group locations and times in Summit and Medina Counties, contact the 24 hr hotline: (330) 374-1111
Family Stability Program
The Family Stability Program is currently available in Summit County and funded through the Summit County Department of Jobs and Family Services. Family Stability is a case management program that works with families in the community who are experiencing issues of domestic violence, whether emotional or physical abuse. If you have a protection order or are currently separated from the abuser, we may be able to help.
A protection order can provide much-needed safety and peace of mind to those who have experienced domestic violence. However, sometimes obtaining a protection order or leaving an abusive relationship can also produce some unexpected hurdles. A protection order may cause some major changes that you weren't expecting in your life.
You may experience changes in family income, transportation, housing, employment, family routines and support systems. Childcare may become an issue, especially if you are currently working, looking for employment, or are in school. If the abuser has been providing for the family financially, this may hinder the family income. The loss of income may disrupt the household finances. Safety also may still be an issue, and we can work with you to create a safety plan that best fits you.
Battered Women's Shelter Specialists can walk with you through this journey as you adjust to the changes in your world following the protection order process or separation. This program helps to keep the family calm and stabilized during a turbulent and volatile time.
The Family Stability Program provides the support, encouragement, information, education, and referrals necessary to calm the instability often caused by an abusive relationship. Case managers help identify barriers to self-sufficiency and help develop a goal plan to overcome those barriers. Families will be linked to appropriate community resources for additional assistance. We may be able to help in the following areas:
- Food
- Clothing
- Finding housing or rental assistance
- Utility Assistance
- Transportation
- Safety Planning
- Trying to find employment
Family Stability Program participants must be currently separated from their abuser or have a protection order, have children or be pregnant, and be within the income guidelines. Please call (330) 374-0740 for more information.
Court Advocacy
Domestic Violence victims seeking legal remedies may contact our Court Advocates. We can assist victims with filling out paperwork and filing protection orders. Advocates can explain options, accompany clients to hearings/trials in various courts throughout Summit and Medina Counties, and provide appropriate referrals. Advocates also provide support in police departments, prosecutor’s offices and in our Community Outreach Offices (which are located separately from our shelters).
Court Advocates are trained in crisis intervention with special emphasis on the legal aspects and rights of victims. We provide information on protection orders, victim compensation, and support and case management are available to every client as they move through the legal process.
Safety planning is an important part of what our Court Advocates do with clients in addition to educating clients on the variety of other services the Battered Women’s Shelter provides.
It is important to note that we are not attorneys, and we do not provide legal advice or representation in court, but we can provide you with referrals to practicing attorneys in your area.
IF YOU ARE A VICTIM: The Justice System can be a scary and confusing place. Among other things, you will have to take time off of work, find a babysitter, borrow gas money, look for a parking spot and worry about the unknown. It doesn’t seem quite fair, and it is important to remember that you are there because of somebody else’s actions, and it’s NOT YOUR FAULT.
Our advocates are here to explain the process as well as what to expect. When you have questions or you just want to talk, we are available by phone, or we will set an appointment to meet with you in the office. We will provide you with information on your rights and responsibilities as a victim. Sometimes, just having someone by your side takes some of the anxiety and stress away. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
IF YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL: Our advocates are available to discuss legal options with victims in the office as well as over the phone. Sometimes victims can be hesitant to take legal action and for very good reason. Taking the steps to call the police or file a police report does not always mean that an arrest will be made. Victims know this. If the abuser finds out that the victim made a police report and no arrest is made, the victim is no safer than before.
In Ohio, we have what is called “preferred arrest.” It is not mandatory for the police to make an arrest just because a person makes a call/report to the police. If an arrest is made, the abuser could be out of jail the next day.
It is important to understand the difficult position the victim is in when making the decision to take legal action against the abuser. It is also important to remember that separation is the most lethal time in domestic violence situations, and we are here to safety plan with the victim.
In Summit County, please refer victims to (330) 375-2247, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M-F.
In Medina County, please refer victims to (330) 723-9610, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M-F.
Protection Orders
The purpose of a protection order is to direct the abuser not to harm, attempt to harm, threaten, follow, stalk, harass, force sexual relations upon or commit any other sexually oriented offenses against the victim.
A protection order provides certain relief to a victim. It requires that the abuser or “respondent” stay a certain amount of feet or yards away from the victim or “petitioner” named on the order. A petitioner can also request their children to be named as protected parties on the order.
Magistrates/Judges have to follow the law and it is their job to determine whether someone meets the criteria under the law to qualify for a protection order.
There are different types of protection orders:
Criminal Temporary Protection Orders (TPO) – these orders are issued out of a criminal case and last as long as the case is open. If the case is open for 3 months, the order is in effect for 3 months. If you are a victim of domestic violence where an arrest has been made, you should be offered a TPO by the arresting officer. If you accept, you are required to go to court for a TPO hearing so that the court can formally issue the TPO.
Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (CPO)- a police report or an arrest does not have to be made in order to file for this type of order. These orders are filed for in the Domestic Relations division of the court of Common Pleas. CPOs last up to 5 years and provide other types of relief that TPOs do not, such as, child support, spousal support, custody and visitation.
Civil Stalking or Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order (SSOOPO)- The procedure is very similar to the procedure for obtaining a domestic violence CPO. One difference is that the petition for a stalking CPO must be filed with the general division, not the Domestic Relations division, of the court of Common Pleas. You may petition for this order if you have either been a victim of “menacing by stalking,” meaning the perpetrator has engaged in a pattern of conduct which causes the victim mental distress or the belief that they will be physically harmed, or if the offender has engaged in a sexually oriented offense against you.
For each type of Civil Protection Order, there are certain criteria to be met. Court Advocates can help victims figure out which order fits their situation.
Community Education for Summit & Medina Counties
BWS has a community wide Outreach Program addressing topics such as Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Healthy/Unhealthy Relationships, Shelter Services and Programs, Donation Drives and much more!
AREA SCHOOLS are welcome to invite our staff to facilitate classroom lectures and discussions which are age appropriate, non-threatening and tailored for students of any grade. Topics include Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships and Dating Violence.
Girls Against Violence Against Women is a specific program aimed at building healthy relationships skills for girls ages 10-18.
CHURCHES, BUSINESSES, CLUBS, AND GROUPS are encouraged to schedule a speaker for any of their meetings, lunches, dinners, and trainings. We can also help kick off a donation drive with an educational speech and video. Topics for speaking engagements include:
- Myths and Facts about domestic violence
- Services that are available
- Information about victims
- Information about offenders
- Effects of domestic violence on children
- Understanding the cycle of abuse
- How domestic violence effects the entire community
- Domestic violence and animal abuse
The Early Intervention Program (EIP) & Stop the Cycle (STC)
The Battered Women's Shelter offers two classes free of charge to any person living in Summit or Medina Counties. This is an educational program offered to help persons better understand specific aspects of domestic violence. This educational information is presented in a nonthreatening and supportive manner so that participants can gain additional knowledge about and insight into the dysfunctional pattern of violence that may be developing within their family units. Many individuals are referred to these classes by area Courts prior to dismissal or lifting of either a criminal Temporary Protection Order (TPO) or a Civil Protection Order (CPO). These classes are also often part of Children's Services Bureau's (CSB) case management plans.
EIP focuses on the dynamics of an abusive relationship. Common myths and the realities of domestic violence and the pervasiveness of domestic violence are examined. The cycle of violence and some of the behaviors characteristic of an abusive relationship are discussed. Other topics covered include stress and anger and positive ways to cope with these emotions. With greater awareness of the dynamics of their own relationships, participants should be better able to identify the abusive cycle they (or someone they care about) are stuck in and therefore, will be better equipped to interrupt that cycle and decrease or put an end to the violence in their lives.
STC focuses on how children are affected by exposure to violence in the home. Sometimes children are the target of the abuse and sometimes they witness abuse between their parents or other family members. Either way, these children are traumatized by what they are seeing, hearing and feeling, and they can suffer long term negative implications. This class will examine the effects of domestic violence on children of varying ages, and introduce positive coping techniques and parenting skills to help lessen the impact of the violence on the children. By examining children's reactions to the violence and the resulting behaviors, participants may be better equipped to identify and positively address areas of concern in their own families.
Each class is two hours long and both are held in the evenings to better accommodate the schedules of interested individuals. Advance registration is required to attend these programs as space is limited.
Questions and requests should be directed to the Family Violence Court Advocate at (330) 375-2679 or (330) 375-2247.
Family Violence Court (FVC)
Operating in conjunction with the Akron Municipal Court, Prosecutor's Office and Probation Department, the Public Defender's Office, Oriana House, Victim Assistance, Summit Psychological Associates, and the Battered Women's Shelter, the FVC program provides a heightened level of supervision and services to eligible misdemeanor Domestic Violence offenders and the intimate partners they've victimized. This program was developed for the first-time violent offender. It is a year long diversion program. It offers early intervention through 26 weeks of batterers' intervention classes called Time Out Diversion(TOD) and intensive case management. All participants are frequently screened for drug and alcohol use, and when appropriate they are assessed for chemical dependency and may be referred into a treatment program. Participants must show financial responsibility by securing and/or maintaining employment and by paying court costs and program fees.
In order to participate in the FVC program, eligibility must be determined by Akron Municipal Court's Probation Department. During their Arraignment, the eligible defendant will be informed of their eligibility and their need to return to Court during the next FVC date. The arraigning Judge will set a $5000.00 signature bond which will allow the defendant to be released from jail that same day without posting any cash. This Judge will also sign a criminal Temporary Protection Order (TPO) on behalf of the named victim. This TPO will make it illegal for the offender to have any contact with or be within 100 yards of the protected person or their home. If there is a violation of the TPO, the protected person will need to call the police to report the violation and a new criminal charge could result.
This program is optional and all eligible defendants must decide if they will participate or not during their FVC appearance. Before making their decision, they must speak with an attorney who will explain the requirements of the program, answer questions, and give advice based on the details of their case. If an offender chooses not to participate in the FVC program after consulting their attorney, their case will be randomly allotted to 1 of the 6 Akron Municipal Court Judges.
When an offender chooses to participate in the FVC program, they enter a guilty plea to the charge of Domestic Violence, a 1st Degree Misdemeanor. If there are additional charges attached to the case, they will be dismissed. Investigators from the Prosecutor's Office will contact the named victim for input on the case and to hear any objections they may have to the defendant's participation in the FVC program, including the dismissal of any charges. Upon successful completion of the entire FVC program, the Domestic Violence charge is dismissed. One year after the dismissal and upon proper application, the court will consider sealing the record of the arrest and charge. If an offender fails to successfully complete the program, a conviction would result and they may serve up to 180 days in jail.
The Battered Women's Shelter provides a Legal Advocate to the victim identified in the FVC case who will stay in touch while the offender is in the FVC program. The advocate will keep the survivor informed of the offender's progress including any noncompliance or sanctions and is available to answer questions about the legal process, offer referrals to other beneficial services, to assist with a 5-year Civil Protection Order (CPO), or provide crisis intervention. This advocate also coordinates the Battered Women's Shelter's Early Intervention Program and Stop the Cycle classes to which the survivor may be referred.
No comments:
Post a Comment