Services for Victims

When you experience interpersonal violence due to domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking or other interpersonal crime, finding a safe place to go and feeling safe again is a first step.

24/7 crisis intervention

Trained advocates are on-call every hour of every day to be there when you need them. They can support you with:

• Safety planning
• Emergency shelter placement
• Connections to law enforcement and/or medical support, accompanying you if desired

Emergency shelter

At our 36-bed emergency shelter, Mary’s Place, you will find a safe place to stay, allowing you to take the next steps towards a life that is free from violence. While our goal is to help you attain a new, safe permanent home as quickly as possible, we do not limit the time you can stay at our shelter.

Protection and restraining orders

For some, a protection or restraining order may be appropriate. Our trained staff will assist you in applying for a court order that restricts your abuser’s contact with you. We will help you complete the paperwork needed and step you through the process, providing legal and emotional support services.

Legal services

Our staff attorney may represent you in your protective order case, assist you with divorce and/or custody matters,​housing, education, or employment concerns and other civil cases related to ​domestic, dating, or sexual violence/abuse, stalking or human trafficking. ​ Talk with a CVIC advocate for more information or to request a referral.

Self-Sufficiency skills

We will work with you to identify and take steps leading to your financial independence and ability to realize lasting change in your life. Advocates will help you in areas including:

• Career and Education Counseling: to help you identify goals, complete job applications, apply to school and for financial aid
• Financial Planning and Assistance: we will help you develop a budget and may provide transitional funding assistance for expenses including childcare, apartment deposits, utilities, rent, and related items

Housing

CVIC may be able to help you secure safe, affordable permanent housing. CVIC’s transitional housing program provides intensive support for up to two years if you have become homeless because of violence or abuse.

Licensed therapists provide trauma-informed, evidence-based therapies for victims and survivors to help you manage distressing thoughts and feelings and help you heal. Support is provided in individual and group therapy sessions.

Youth Therapy

Our licensed youth therapists are especially skilled at working with children and young adults who have been exposed to violence in their homes or who have been a victim of a violent crime. Therapists will meet with children in schools or in our office, helping them overcome trauma, teach safety precautions and develop healthy ways of coping. Therapists will incorporate techniques include art and play to help youth express feelings and begin to heal.

Adult Therapy

Licensed therapists will incorporate proven, evidence-based techniques to help ease the impacts of anxiety, panic, disturbing memories, and post-traumatic stress. They will also help to address parenting and relationship boundaries.

Evidence-based Therapies

Staff therapists are trained to provide specialized therapies for children and adult victims of trauma, including:

• Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): for children and teens with emotional and behavioral difficulties (it also involves a supportive parent/caregiver).
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): a powerful technique for children/young adults (age 12-18) and adults that helps to release emotional distress linked to traumatic experiences using stimulation and eye movement techniques to activate the natural healing process.
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): a specialized therapy effective in reducing symptoms of post traumatic stress that develops after experiencing traumatic events including sexual assault or intimate partner violence