Frequently Asked Questions
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how do i report child abuse?
To report child abuse, please call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-800-5556. Find more information about reporting abuse.
how do i take advantage of other services offered by the department of child services?
There are hotlines specific to individual services you may need -- please refer to the list below:
How does Holly's House differ from Albion Fellows Bacon Center, the YWCA, and other organizations that assist victims of intimate crimes?
Holly's House is not a shelter. Holly's House provides a safe, comforting location for victim's to come to when making a formal report of the crime. After Holly's House clients have been interviewed, Holly's House works in partnership with other agencies to ensure victims have access to other resources throughout their healing journey. Albion Fellows Bacon Center and the YWCA are two of our partners who do provide shelter services for individuals needing a safe place to live when leaving a violent relationship. Holly’s House strives not to duplicate any services that already exist in the community. We work with all these great organizations to better assist victims of intimate crimes.
what is a victim advocacy center?
By definition, an Advocate is one that:
how does holly's house differ from the previous set-up or system?
Prior to Holly's House, victims of intimate crime would go to the police department to file a report. Most police stations are busy places with public waiting rooms. As a result, someone who has been a recent victim of intimate crime is likely to feel exposed and vulnerable. They may be worried about running into people they know and possibly the suspect or that individuals family and friends. In addition, the interview rooms are most law enforcement centers are used for both victims and suspects. These rooms are designed to support the authority of the law enforcement officer when working with a suspect which does not creating a comforting environment for a victims.
Holly's House had dedicated rooms to provide services for adults and children. Every attempt is made to ensure the victims feels safe and supported while at Holly's House. At Holly's House survivors can meet with representatives from all of the agencies and services they may need to interact initially. does holly's house support both adults and children?
Yes, Holly’s House has separate areas to serve adults and children.
Services for adults include providing support while a victim of domestic or sexual violence meets with a Detective to report the crime. The interview can be recorded to prevent the victim from needing to go over the details multiple times and to preserve the accuracy of the victim's statement. In addition, staff members will work with the victim and his/her support system to identify other services that are needed and assist in referrals to those services. Holly's House assists with the investigation with children when there has been an allegation of abuse by conducting a forensic interview. Representatives from both the Department of Child Services and local law enforcement can witness the interview. Interviews with children are facilitated by staff members who are skilled in the Child First process for child forensic interviews. Our primary goal is to minimize the emotional trauma a child experiences when being interviewed about abuse. By conducting one interview with both agencies observing, the child is spared having to repeat the details of the abuse multiple times to multiple people. As with our services for adults, interviews with children are recorded to preserve the accuracy of their statement and prevent the need for multiple interviews as an investigation proceeds. While at Holly's House children and their caregivers are connected with other services available to support them through the healing process. |