Domestic Violence Intervention Center History
The Domestic Violence Intervention Center (DVIC), formerly East Alabama Task Force for Battered Women, was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit agency in 1980, with its shelter, Safehouse, accepting its first victim in 1981.
Serving five counties (Chambers, Lee, Macon, Randolph and Tallapoosa), DIVC provides a 24-hour crisis line, confidential emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, referrals to agencies and organizations that assist victims, support group, and a school based violence prevention program.
DVIC is the only organization of its kind in a five-county service area and has gained the respect of victims, the public, and law enforcement for providing quality care to victims of domestic violence.
DVIC has sheltered 3,595 women and children and has answered 9,541 crisis calls from its inception through 2007. During 2007, DVIC answered 333 crisis calls and housed 136 women and children, accounting for 2,809 bednights. This figure represents 76 families. Staff provided 917.5 hours of individual counseling. Ten community support group sessions were held for 10 hours of service during 2007. A total of 283 court and legal advocacy clients were seen, totaling 299.75 hours.
Mission Statement
The overall mission of DVIC is to eliminate violence in the lives of women and children by providing direct services such as 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter, support group, legal advocacy, child advocacy and referrals to domestic violence victims, which in term will make them less likely to return to the abuser.
Statistics
In 2007:- DVIC sheltered 136 people (69 woman and 67 children).
- 70 individuals (23 women and 47 children) were not admitted to shelter and referred to other shelters because of lack of space.
- We served 153 individuals through out-of-shelter services.
- 333 crisis calls were taken through our crisis hot line.
- 89 calls were referred to the legal/criminal justice system.
- 139 clients were court referred.
Agency Services
- 24 hour hotline
- emergency shelter
- support group
- outreach/education
- legal advocacy
- child advocacy
- referrals
- non-residential services