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 4,049 women and children and has answered 10,882 crisis calls from its inception through 2010. During 2010, DVIC answered 369 crisis calls and housed 97 women and children, accounting for 2,321 bednights. This figure represents 53 families. Staff provided 454 hours of individual counseling. Nine community support group sessions were held for 9 hours of service during 2010. A total of 284 court and legal advocacy clients were seen, totaling 187.75 hours.
Mission Statement
The overall mission of DVIC is to eliminate violence in the lives of women and children in the five county area we serve by providing direct services to domestic violence victims which in term will make them less likely to return to the abuser.
Statistics
In 2010:- DVIC sheltered 96 people (53 women and 43 children)
- 24 individuals (11 women and 13 children0 were not admitted due to lack of space
- We served 171 individuals through out-of-shelter services
- 370 crisis calls were taken through the crisis hot line
- 97 calls were referred to the legal criminal justice system
- 137 clients were court referred
Agency Services
- 24 hour hotline
- emergency shelter
- support group
- outreach/education
- legal advocacy
- child advocacy
- referrals
- non-residential services
