1. Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center LINDA JOHANEK, CEO

2. Our Mission and Vision  The Mission of Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center is to empower individuals, educate the community and advocate for justice to end domestic violence and child abuse.  Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center envisions a community in which all people enjoy lives free from violence and abuse and feel safe and secure in their relationships

3. Pillars of Change… Empowering Individuals Support Crisis Intervention Therapy Shelter Educating the Community Prevention Training Public Awareness Education Advocating For Justice Intervention Advocacy Leadership Systems Change

4. Services and Programs  24-Hour Domestic Violence Helpline  24-Hour Family Helpline  Emergency Shelter  Justice System Advocacy  Supervised Visitation Center  Support Groups  Latina Project  Ujima Project  Teen Dating Violence Program  Child Abuse Prevention in Schools  Individual Trauma Counseling for adults and children  Group Therapy  Parenting Program  Training and Education

5. The JSAP Advocate…  Monitors Lakewood police calls to the 24-hour Helpline and reviews docket  Provides Court escorts and support throughout the court process, including trials  Provides safety planning, crisis intervention, and information about protection orders, as needed  Conducts follow-up calls to provide support, information, and further safety planning  Facilitates local domestic violence support groups offered to all Lakewood victims

6. Where We Serve….. Mobile Staff  50 Locations  2,187 victims served by Justice System Advocates in Cuyahoga County Cuyahoga County

7. The Lakewood JSAP Advocate…  Served 134 victims in Lakewood Court  151 units of support group services  JSAP advocates collaborate almost daily with the Lakewood Prosecutors Office and the Lakewood Municipal Court  Advocates provide information, education and materials about domestic violence to law enforcement and justice system personnel  Advocate for individual victims and for procedures and processes in court which will emphasize the safety of victims  Facilitates a support group for domestic violence victims

8. Life After Abuse….. For domestic violence survivor Patricia, DVCAC’s Justice System Advocacy program was not only transformational, it was literally life- saving. She grew up in a loving family, attended the University of Akron and was a special education teacher for 30 years. When she fell in love with the wrong person, she nearly lost her life. She was verbally and emotionally abused, beaten severely and left to die. With the help of DVCAC’s Justice System Advocacy program she found the courage to face her abuser in court and helped send her batterer to prison. Patricia sought counseling and for two years she attended the DVCAC’s weekly support group where she shared her story, learned from others, and regained the confidence she needed to move forward with her life.