Based on the knowledge of Cynthia Cohen, interviewed by Bonnie Gaines

 New Hope is a community based advocacy center, which assists both female and male victims of domestic and sexual violence in Grant and Adams Counties. They offer crisis intervention, medical and legal advocacy, support groups, and more.

 We oppose the use of violence as a means to control another person, and encourage individuals to acknowledge and reclaim their personal power (New Hope guide, 2009 p.4).

 It is our vision to empower individuals by providing a safe, confidential and nonjudgmental environment for healing from abuse (New Hope guide, 2009 p. 4).

New Hope is an advocacy based counsel for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The services offered as is follows:  Shelter- the locations of the shelter are kept confidential; only a few select of staff know the locations.  Shelter with alarm system-all shelters have alarm systems for extra safety.  Coordinate placement with other shelters when requested- if necessary to move a victim out of the city  Transportation to shelter- A staff member is always  Emergency food and clothing for shelter residents- there is always food and clothing for victims when they arrive at the shelters (New Hope guide, 2009 p. 1-6).

 Advocacy-based counseling  Assesses victim’s needs-the staff assess what type of services the victims need.  Domestic violence dynamics and education- classes are offered to victims about what to do in an abusive situation.  Community referrals- the staff referral victims to other services the need, such as mental health and PARC  Safety Planning- the staff and the victims make a plan on how to keep the victim safe (New Hope guide, 2009 p. 1-6).

 Legal Advocacy  Accompany victims to count for support in the following matters: Protection orders Divorce Establishing custody Parenting plans  Medical Advocacy  Attending crisis calls to the hospital for victim of domestic violence and sexual assault (New Hope guide, 2009 p. 1-6).

 Sexual assault services  On-call advocacy to hospitals- staff will go to hospital with victim if needed  Access victim’s needs- accesses out services are needed  Referral to sexual assault-staff makes referrals in order for victims to deal with assault  Domestic violence and sexual assault support groups  Education and information concerning domestic violence and sexual assault  Individual domestic violence and sexual assault classes (New Hope guide, 2009 p. 1-6).

 Community Advocacy  Education and information concerning domestic violence and sexual assault to the groups: Schools Churches Clinics Law enforcement Employers Judges Social assistances offices Community member and clubs  Crisis Intervention  Available for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault 24 hours a day, seven days a week (New Hope guide, 2009 p. 1-6).

 Anyone who walks through the doors and has no domestic violence on their record is eligible(personal interview).  No insurances is needed. All services are free to clients(personal interview).  Victims know to come to New Hope because the agency advertises in the paper, phone books, and word of mouth(personal interview).  85% of the victims are women and 39% of the victims are men(personal interview).  The top two ethnic backgrounds are Hispanic and White, but New Hope does service all ethnic backgrounds(personal interview).

 Cynthia has worked for New Hope for ten years.  Mainly works as a legal community activist and child who were sexually assaulted(personal interview).  Loves to work with high risk people, but hate the amount of paper work, and that funders want everything documented(personal interview).  If she could change one aspect of her job it would be less paper work and more client time(personal interview).

 Cynthia believes that intervention should start with society involvement; society puts labels on victims by saying “It is their fault because they will not leave the situation(personal interview).”  Cynthia also believes that prevention start in elementary schools. Violence is a learned behavior. Anger is natural but it is how you handle it is what matter(personal interview).

 Cynthia would like future and non-future social workers to know that early interventions in schools in the best way to prevent both child and domestic abuse(personal interview).  Abuse is a constant cycle that repeats itself from generation to generation. Children learn by example; if they witness their parents hitting each other or are getting hit themselves they are most likely to repeat the behavior. If we teach children about abuse at a young age and continue through out the school years abuse will decrease and perhaps the cycle can be broken(personal interview).  The reason why the cycle could be broken is because children would no that abuse is not right and would report abuse to the school because they would feel safe (personal interview).

 Cynthia enjoys her work helping people overcome abuse. She does not see herself doing anything else.  New Hope is a needed agency; without it people would not have a safe neutral place they can rely on if they experience abuse.

 Cohen, C. (2010, March 12). Legal Community activist for New Hope. Interview  Intergraded Services. (2009). New Hope guide. Moses Lake, WA: unknown author.