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PROGRAMS & SERVICES
* Crisis Call Line
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is available, free of charge, to individuals who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, or are overcoming the emotional trauma and long term effects caused by COVID.
Please call 775-883-7654 to see if you qualify and for an appointment.
Crisis Call Line
Individuals seeking help or information regarding domestic or sexual violence can contact the hotline at (775) 883-7654 to receive help and assistance anytime day or night, 24/7/365. Trained volunteers answer the hotline after business hours with staff back up to provide support, community resources and referrals, encouragement and when needed, the option of shelter. Clients' privacy is important and anything discussed is confidential.
* Shelter
Shelter
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The emergency shelter can provide housing for up to five months under certain circumstances and offers apartment-style living with each unit having a fully-furnished living room, kitchen and laundry. Families have their own bedroom which enables them to maintain their routines, family dynamics and privacy when possible. Units are accessible to the fully-fenced backyard, play equipment and outside toys. Consumable items such as soaps, paper products, feminine hygiene items, etc., are provided and restocked as needed. Every effort has been made to provide a home-like environment, a place that is safe and comfortable with structure and support.
The first step to accessing shelter is to call the 24-hour crisis line and ask for help. An assessment is conducted by the Client Resource Coordinator. This involves a series of questions to determine if shelter is a safe option, if medical intervention is necessary, what services may be needed and referrals for community programs. Not everyone who calls the crisis line is looking for shelter. Many callers are investigating options, resources, community services that may be needed, or assistance in planning for a future escape.
The first 72-hours of entering the shelter is a "time-out" or "cooling off" period. Clients are given the space to reflect upon their options and to choose if they wish to remain in the shelter or seek other resources.
If a client chooses to stay in the shelter, the next two weeks will consist of developing a plan of action to secure counseling, legal aid, training, employment, childcare, transportation and housing. AEDV's caseworkers assist clients with securing needed documents, applying for resources and securing long-term housing beyond the emergency shelter.
For those who need additional time beyond the five months, 'Transitional Housing' may be an option and offers an additional 12 months of housing and support.
The shelter has been designed to provide a comfortable, homey environment that encourages families to feel safe while they work to rebuild their lives and move from the program to permanent housing. The Shelter Manager is available 24 hours a day to provide needed items, offer encouragement and ensure program guidelines are maintained. Many families enter the shelter with few, if any, personal items or clothing. The Shelter Manager provides needed sleepwear, towels, fresh food and a welcome kit that contains personal hygiene items; the children are given a handmade quilt and a soft animal to comfort them while sleeping in a strange place. AEDV's thrift shop, Classy Seconds, is able to give clients additional women and children's clothing, backpacks, shoes, etc.
Once clients are settled, AEDV staff works to help define a plan of action and to set short- and long-term goals toward becoming self-sufficient, breaking the cycle of abuse and moving to a home of their own. Each person is different with unique issues and challenges. For those who turn to the agency for help, it is AEDV's goal to aid those with the support and resources they need to move forward and become empowered and able to effect change in their lives.
AEDV believes:
* Every person is entitled to a safe environment free from the fear of violence.
* Every person is capable of change and deserves to be respected.
* Every person is unique and special and capable of being the person they were
meant to be.
Positive Parenting Classes
Parenting is full of challenges, but even more so after experiencing domestic violence. Often there has been an erosion of authority that leaves the survivor feeling powerless and in need of support to develop skills to parent in a positive way that heals – for them and their children.
Before entering the shelter, children have experienced trauma and exposure to abuse, which may have negative effects. The shelter is a new environment away from their home, their beds, their friends and the life they knew. Some children may view the move to the shelter as frightening or as a punishment as they have been separated from their home, loved ones and familiar surroundings. Given these combined traumatic circumstances, behavioral problems often surface. Some children may display greater behavioral, emotional, attitudinal and cognitive difficulties than other children who have not been exposed to domestic violence in their homes (Edleson, et al., 2003). This can present challenges to parenting children who may experience nightmares, trouble sleeping, flashbacks, nervousness, depression, or act out in school.
AEDV teaches the STEP curriculum (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) for shelter parents that provides tools to build skills to discipline children effectively, including the use of time-out, withholding privileges and helping them understand the connection between actions and consequences.
The STEP curriculum helps parents learn how to relate to their children from birth through adolescence, to encourage cooperative behavior and how not to reinforce unacceptable behaviors. The program helps parents change dysfunctional and destructive relationships with their children by offering concrete alternatives to abusive and ineffective methods of discipline and control. Parents become aware that their own reactions and attitudes may have unintentionally influenced their children's unacceptable behaviors while building children's self-esteem through the process of encouragement.
Positive Parenting Classes strive to:
* Increase ability to identify goals of misbehavior
* Increase alternatives to misbehaviors
* Increase encouragement skills
* Increase skills in communication
* Increase skills in cooperation (parental and child)
* Increase disciplinary skills
* Increase child self-esteem and confidence
* Increase positive emotional growth
* Positive Parenting Classes
Life Skills
After the initial crisis has passed and clients have settled into the shelter routine, AEDV offers a range of programs to prepare survivors to return to a safe, secure way of life away from the shelter. Programs aid clients to develop and strengthen essential life skills needed to establish financial freedom, parent children, cope with the stresses of starting a new life and recognize the signs of harm in future relationships.
Economic control in an abusive relationship takes many forms and gaining self-sufficiency can be the difference between staying in, or leaving a violent relationship. Taking control of one's financial matters is a necessary life skill that can be learned.
AEDV's budgeting classes help survivors to build crucial skills that empower them to make informed, responsible financial decisions to reestablish their lives.
Budgeting classes are offered weekly to sheltered clients on an individual basis and modified to meet each family's financial needs in an interactive style. Clients begin by reviewing their credit report and tracking their expenses and spending. Working with community partners, local experts provide additional instruction to help survivors in a classroom setting understand their money, what it is, how it works and what it means to their lives. The goal of the program is to design a realistic and effective path toward financial stability and independence. AEDV encourages clients to save a minimum of 10% of any type of income during their shelter stay.
The following are class topics:
* Creating a workable budget
* Managing debt and reducing expenses
* Banking basics
* Opening a bank account or credit card
* Repairing credit history & improving credit scores
* Understanding credit
* Setting realistic goals
* Saving for housing deposits and the future
* Life Skills
Rape Crisis Intervention
Sexual Assault Response Advocates (S.A.R.A)
Need help?
If you are in an emergency situation such as a threat of violence, an act of violence, or if someone’s health is in imminent danger, call 911.
S.A.R.A. provides support and empowerment to survivors of sexual assault. We respect the right of survivors to make the decisions that affect them. If you would like to speak with a trained team member 24/7, call (775) 883-7654 for the following confidential support:
* Trained staff/volunteers to help you talk through what has happened
* Information where and how to make a police report
* How to access a sexual assault forensic examination
* Referrals for counseling and community resources
* Assistance in applying for county and state 'Victims of Crime Compensation'
The information shared with S.A.R.A. is anonymous and confidential and is not shared without the consent of the caller.
Sexual assault can happen to anyone regardless of age or gender. There are many types of sexual violence including rape, sexual assault, child sexual abuse and intimate partner sexual violence. Sexual violence can have psychological, emotional and physical effects on a survivor. A medical examination will check for physical injuries, while a forensic examination will collect evidence of the assault. That evidence may be used to identify and prosecute the perpetrator.
Understanding how to make a police report, the process of a medical and/or forensic examination, and the role of the justice system can take away some of the unknowns and help a survivor be more prepared to begin the healing journey. Sexual Assault Response Advocates are available for training sessions, speaking engagements, health fairs and community outreach to increase awareness and access to services.
* S.A.R.A.
PATH (Positive Action Toward Hope)
The majority of survivors entering the shelter are unemployed, are without transportation, are not receiving social services and lack basic life skills needed to become economically and emotionally independent. The PATH program offers a variety of services that are individually tailored to each survivor's needs and involves helping them develop measurable goal-oriented plans that include:
* Securing identity documents for the family
* Applying for social services
* Resume writing
* Job training
* Exploring educational opportunities
* Locating childcare
* Stress management
* Applying for housing options
AEDV's goal is to promote independence and stability; therefore, minimizing the feeling the survivors have no choice other than to return to the abusive situation and continue the cycle of abuse.
* PATH (Positive Action Toward Hope)
Teen Dating Violence Program
One in three adolescents has been verbally, emotionally or physically abused by a dating partner. Sixty-two percent of tweens aged 11-14 say they know friends who have been verbally abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend, and one in five tweens say they know a friend who had been physically hurt by a girlfriend or boyfriend.
Teen victims are far more likely to engage in dangerous behaviors such as smoking, drug use, unhealthy diet behaviors and risky sexual behaviors. They are also more likely to attempt suicide.
Many times teenagers do not know where to turn for help and guidance when they are involved in an abusive relationship. AEDV, working collaboratively with the Carson City School District, provides interactive classes to Middle School and High School students to identify the dynamics of healthy relationships and the “red flags” of abusive relationships. The classes are age-appropriate and structured to provide knowledge and prevention about dating violence while offering practical strategies to avoid or leave abusive relationships.
If you suspect that your daughter or son may be in an abusive dating relationship take action! Over time, abuse tends to escalate. If your child tells you about abuse, take them seriously. Don’t brush off their concerns as “drama” or “puppy love”. If you’re supportive and non-judgmental your child will feel they can trust you. Make sure they know that you’re concerned and don’t think they are at fault.
Warning signs of an unhealthy or abusive relationship:
* Has mood swings - angry with you one minute but sweet and apologetic the next
* Says “I love you” too quickly in the relationship
* Pressures or guilts you to do things you don’t want to do
* Asks for your passwords and checks your phone or social media
* Makes fun of your intelligence or the way you look
* Gets jealous and makes you feel guilty when you hang out with your friends
* Physically hurts you
We can help develop a safety plan as abuse can dramatically escalate after a relationship ends. You may want to contact the Court Advocates for information regarding applying for a temporary restraining order at (775) 884-1886 or call our 24-hour crisis line at (775) 883-7654 for more information.
* Teen Dating Violence Program
Victim Court Advocates
885 East Musser Street
Suite 3003/3rd floor
Carson City Nevada, 89701
Victim Court Advocates are located on the third floor of the Carson City Courthouse. The program offers victims information regarding the different options available to them such as community resources and helps them navigate the judicial process through the following services:
* Assistance with applying for temporary, stalking and harassment orders
* Court accompaniment
* Attend arrangments and hearings
* Take photos to document injuries
* Safety planning
* Assistance with police reports
* Help with 'Victims of Crime Compensation' applications
* Emotional support
* Referral for community services
* VINE program registration for offender release information
* Notify victims of TPO renewal dates
* Bilingual, Spanish-speaking
Attending court proceedings can be intimidating and scary for a victim who has to face the abuser. The Victims Court Advocates attend hearings with clients to inform them of the process, act as support, process the outcome of the hearing afterward, and help develop a safety plan.
A temporary protection order (TPO) may not be enough to ensure safety. Victims may need to consider relocating to a safe place or seek shelter. The following information about the abuser will be needed to complete a TPO application:
* Full name
* Employer’s address – if working
* Description of abuser
* Date of Birth
* Addresses of places the abuser must stay away from (your home, schools,
family, work)
Keep a CERTIFIED court copy of the protection order with you at all times as well as providing copies to any schools or daycares that may be responsible for a child's safety.
It is important to REPORT and document any violation immediately!
Nevada Domestic Violence Laws
Mandatory Arrest
(NRS 171.137) Whether or not a warrant has been issued, a peace officer shall, unless mitigating circumstances exist, arrest a person when he has probable cause to believe that the person has, within the preceding 24 hours, committed a battery upon a spouse a person to whom they are related by blood, a person with whom you have actually resided with, or have minor children in common. The victim does not need to make a citizen's arrest, the officer makes the arrest. Anyone arrested under this statute will not be able to post bail for at least 12 hours.
Protection Orders
(NRS 33.017) An 'Order of Protection' is a court order that an abuser stops hurting, threatening and harassing a victim of domestic abuse. This Order may be obtained without a lawyer from Justice Court or District Court. Temporary Protection Orders are generally issued first for a 30-day period. Victims can apply for Extended Protection Orders that are in force up to one year. Violations of the terms of a protection order is a misdemeanor and arrest is mandated by law.
Stalking and Harassment Orders
(NRS 200.575) A person who, without lawful authority, willfully or maliciously engages in a course of conduct that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated or harassed and that actually causes the victim to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated or harassed, commits a crime of stalking.
Please Note: AEDV staff/volunteers are not attorneys. We cannot give legal advice. Our services are intended to provide support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and harassment.
* Victim Court Advocates
Support Groups
The interactive groups help victims and survivors know that they are not alone. Guided by a facilitator who aids members to overcome the trauma of abuse and control and move toward a place of healing and growth, the groups are confidential, offering a nurturing and open space to talk with others.
Also available is individual counseling, provided free of charge by a local psychologist. These sessions target survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Appointments can be made by calling (775) 883-7654.
Group times
Wednesday, 10:00am - 11:00am
Location: 3640 Gordon Street
For location or additional information, call (775) 883-7654.
* Support Groups/ Individual Counseling
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