Overview

Our Program Areas

The Warrick County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Task Force addresses Victim Services through development and implementation of advocacy and support programs for victims of domestic violence. This goal is being accomplished through use of community volunteers and collaboration with community agencies. Training programs, protocols, and community education are additional areas of focus.

A Detailed Look at Our Mission

Since January 1997, Warrick County has progressed toward implementation of a community-wide response to domestic violence. Initially, Community System Wide Response, Step Ahead, and The Drug Free Council identified domestic violence as a social problem which affects all ages and income levels within our community. Through collaborative effort to address the interests and needs within the county, our Domestic Violence Task Force was formed, complete with a mission statement and by-laws.

Representatives from our local Office of Family and Children, Warrick County Sheriff’s Department, Warrick County Prosecutor’s Office, Warrick County Judicial System, Southwesterin Indiana Mental Health, Indiana State Police, Private Industry Council (PIC), Purdue Cooperative Extension, Southern Indiana Rehabilitation Services, Albion Fellows Bacon, YWCA, Children and Family Services, St. Mary’s Warrick Hospital, and interested citizens participate regularly in council activities. The Task Force meets monthly with excellent attendance. Committees have been formed to deal with issues concerning education, intervention, and public relations, while the Task Force as a whole seeks to identify gaps in services and to promote community awareness.

Meetings have been conducted with local day care providers, hospital personnel, and law enforcement to establish a uniform guideline regarding protocol. Training materials have been developed and are periodically revised for utilization by social services providers, law enforcement, and concerned groups.

As a result of its activities, the Task Force has recognized a need for expanded direct services within the county boundaries. The group is exploring possibilities of expanding services of current battered women’s shelters and counseling services. Limited temporary housing services within the county is an associated area of need. The Grants/Legislative Committee focuses on locating funding sources and monitoring legislative activities within these areas.

Educational programming with the county elementary schools has been a recent achievement of the Task Force. In the past, such programs had been provided on a rather limited basis through Albion Fellows Bacon. Reinstatement and expansion of services within the geographical boundaries of Warrick County is the guiding focus for the Task Force.

The education of our children and assisting victims of violence are priorities. The number of protective order cases continues to grow in Warrick County. Educating victims on services and resources is a crucial first step. Providing the support to proceed through the legal system and access existing shelter services must come from within the county.

A Detailed Look at Our Achievements

Primarily, the Warrick County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Task Force has functioned to:

• Increase public awareness and community support of domestic violence victims;
• Coordinate efforts within our community to respond to domestic violence;
• Maintain current efforts and continue development of advocacy/support services for victims of domestic violence.
  

Since its inception, the Task Force has:

• Increased the membership and developed a concrete structure through which by-laws, committees and coordination with local councils have evolved
• Implemented a community awareness campaign through such avenues as creation and distribution of promotional/educational materials, educational presentations to community groups, including the local school systems, and participation in local public events
• Established a local office with the Boonville Judicial Center with linkage to the court system and the prosecutor’s office
  Provision of support group services within Warrick County for survivors of domestic violence
• Created and expanded an educational outreach program to both the local elementary and junior/senior high school systems, providing a liaison within the Warrick County School Corporation
• Development of a Domestic Violence Protocol" for local law enforcement with provision of "resource cards" for domestic dispute calls
• Assisted local hospitals, courts, schools, and agencies to incorporate a domestic violence protocol, with assistance via the Task Force protocol, including educational presentations concerning recognition and reporting
• Collaboration with the court system and direct service provision through provision of monthly domestic violence education classes to protective order recipients in Warrick County
  

An Improved Community Response

Children who are given the opportunity to learn effective, healthy coping skills are less likely to continue the cycle of family violence.

Victims who receive immediate support, education, and advocacy are more likely to choose options to assist them in changing their situations.

A well-established law enforcement protocol with trained officers can provide better immediate support to victims in domestic violence calls.

Providing education to school age students increases awareness that domestic violence is unacceptable behavior.

Development of long-range planning effectively identifies community needs, gaps in services, and secured support for continued development of victims’ support services within Warrick County.

Collaboration with other planning councils insures most efficient utilization of existing resources to meet community needs surrounding domestic violence.

Provider training and establishment of uniform protocols increases identification and referral of victims of domestic violence.

Promotional materials available at community functions are more easily accessible to women who may otherwise have little opportunity to "reach out" for help, therefore increasing the likelihood that these victims are aware of support services and will utilize them.

A large majority of residents in Warrick County are hestitant to utilize services outside the county or fear being removed from the county. Local support numbers and services may increase the likelihood that victims will seek services.

Collaboration through Task Force efforts increases the likelihood of uniform referral processes and resource links for victims of domestic violence.

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