Domestic Violence Services
Shelter
The Alliance Shelter provides a safe, confidential refuge for battered women and children. In this caring environment, case managers help women evaluate their options, access and make plans for the future.
During the clients’ 45-day stay, they are provided individual or semi-individual rooms; nutritious meals, clothing, hygiene items, bedding and linen and laundry services.
Client services:
Intensive case management
Group and individual counseling
Child care
Children’s counseling and case management services
Parenting groups
Support Groups
Assistance with obtaining Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
Accompaniment and advocacy in the criminal justice system
Assistance with employment and housing searches
Transportation
Counseling
Therapy services are available to any victim of domestic violence and their children. These services include individual and group therapy with licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals.
Peer/Support Groups
Utilizing a peer support model, support groups focus on providing advocacy which includes sharing resources and making referrals to social services and community agencies. Groups provide emotional support, education and information on safety plans, resolving legal problems, or preventing abuse. The groups are led by trained facilitators and are open to women in any stage of an abusive relationship, including women who have recently left a violent relationship.
Therapy groups are also available for children who have witnessed violence. These groups help children give a voice to their experience; more importantly, the groups stress healthy communication skills, providing children with a model they can use to live a violence-free life.
The Alliance recognizes that loving someone who is in a domestically violent relationship can be difficult and isolating. Support groups are available for family members and friends of domestic violence victims to assist them and support them through the crisis.
Case Management
Case management services are available to domestic violence survivors who are having difficulty navigating the myriad systems that are often involved in family violence. Case managers can provide food and clothing assistance; advocacy with the medical and social service systems; parenting referrals; and support to those survivors who are feeling overwhelmed
Criminal Justice Advocacy
The Alliance provides assistance to domestic violence victims who are engaged with the criminal justice system. These services include Domestic Violence Restraining Order clinics; accompaniment to court in criminal trials; and advocacy with law enforcement and the district attorney.
Prevention Education and Training (Speakers Available)
The Alliance is committed to ending the insidious cycle of domestic violence in our community. In order to meet that goal, our Prevention and Training Department is available to speak at any organization in Kern County needing information on domestic violence and its impact. As a key component of our Prevention Program, we target the growing problem of teen dating violence by providing teenagers with healthy relationship tools.
Rural Outreach
In order to meet the needs of domestic violence victims throughout the Southern San Joaquin Valley, the Alliance provides counseling services and Domestic Violence Restraining Order assistance in our rural communities. Support groups and crisis assistance are available in Shafter, Arvin, Lamont and Delano. Please contact 322-0931 for more information.
Sexual Assault Services
24-Hour Hospital Accompaniment
The Alliance provides around the clock accompaniment and advocacy services to any victim of sexual assault in Kern County. A critical component of the Kern County Sexual Assault Response Team, the Alliance provides in-person assistance to both victims of rape and sexual battery and their families upon request. Our highly trained advocates provide information, referral and support in order to help victims’ (and their loved ones) understand the examination and evidence collection process; what to expect in the frightening aftermath of a sexual assault; and how to navigate the criminal justice system, if the victim chooses to be involved.
Criminal Justice Advocacy
The criminal justice system is a crucial component in many victims’ journeys toward recovery from assault. The Alliance maintains an excellent relationship with the detectives from all local law enforcement agencies charged with investigating sexual assault. The Alliance staff can accompany victims to court; answer questions regarding the process and provide preparation support if the victim must testify against her or his attacker.
Counseling
Many victims find that talking about the assault provides comfort and closure. Discussing the assault can also help to alleviate the anger, terror and rage many victims feel after being assaulted. The Alliance provides individual counseling to assault survivors using licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals to assist the survivor in reclaiming their sense of safety and self-sufficiency.
Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault
Outreach Center – 1921 19th Street
Bakersfield, CA 93301
661-322-9199
24-Hour Hotline (661) 327-1091
Toll Free 1-800-273-7713
This Page was last update: Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 12:05:46 PM
This page was originally posted: 6/13/2001; 8:43:10 AM.
Copyright 2008 Alliance Against Family Violence
| 