tear-off sheetsBlog

Crisis Hotline Tear-Off Flyer

June 25, 2024By

Raise awareness & offer support 💜

A local hospital reached out to request a crisis hotline tear-off sheet to hang in their bathrooms. We thought it was a fantastic idea and wanted to share it so other workplaces can also offer this resource. 

The Impact 

By placing these tear-off sheets in your workplace, you can: 

  • Raise Awareness: Help bring attention to intimate partner abuse and our organization’s services. 
  • Offer Support: Provide an immediate, accessible resource for those in need. The tear-off sheets contain our crisis hotline number which is answered 24/7. 
  • Show Compassion: Show your employees and visitors your commitment to their well-being. This small gesture can significantly impact someone’s life.

Download the flyer.

Click on the link above to download a flyer to print or share with others.

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national stalking awareness month graphicBlog

Stalking Awareness Month

January 11, 2024By

January 2024 is the 20th annual National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM)

Stalking often co-occurs with intimate partner violence and can be an indicator of other forms of violence.  

All stalkers can be dangerous. Intimate partner stalkers, compared to acquaintance and stranger stalkers, are more likely to threaten and physically assault the victim and their friends and family.  

Did you know stalking can include these behaviors?  

  • Repeated phone calls, texts, or communication on your social media  
  • Sending unwanted gifts to your home or work  
  • Threatening you or your loved ones  
  • Following you or watching you from a distance  
  • Digital harassment, such as tracking your location through an app or showing up at a place you’ve checked into online  

Learn more about the crime and ways to plan for your safety:  

National Day of Action for Stalking Awareness 

SPARC is launching the first National Day of Action for Stalking Awareness on January 18th.  

On January 18, 2003 Peggy Klinke was murdered by her stalker, her ex-boyfriend. 

Learn more about Peggy’s story here. [Trigger warning: The video talks about stalking, murder, and includes clips of Peggy’s 911 call] 

“Peggy had a sparkling personality and would light up a room. As the stalking continued and continued, we saw that shine fade.” – Debbie Riddle, Stalking Activist, Peggy’s sister, and founder of National Stalking Awareness Month

SPARC is bringing back the sparkle on the anniversary of Peggy’s murder and you can help spread awareness.  

On January 18th

  • Post a photo on social media wearing sparkly or shiny clothing or pose in front of sparkly decor
  • Tag SPARC – @followuslegally on Facebook and Instagram
  • Use the hashtags #SparkleAgainstStalking #NSAM2024 #NSAMDayofAction 

Learn more.

Visit SPARC's website.

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merry who used our hotline for advice21 Years

24/7 Crisis Hotline

August 21, 2023By

Our 24-hour crisis hotline is answered every day of the year.

Merry’s Story 

Merry is a survivor of intimate partner abuse. Her mother encouraged her to call our hotline.  

“I don’t remember who I talked to, and it was a short conversation. They gave me a lot of advice that I wish I’d taken. It was such a pivotal moment because I had looked at your website so many times over the last few years and questioned ‘is what I’m going through abuse?’

I talked to a lot of people who go through the same thing. They’ll look at that website for months before they decide to call. I think it’s a mental unraveling and acceptance of the situation that you’re in. Because your brain is trying to protect you in that environment so you can keep going. 

The call made me realize I’m a victim of what’s happening to me and I don’t have to accept it anymore. It was huge.” 

Common Questions 

Our hotline receives an average of 15-20 calls each day. You will speak to a compassionate Certified Domestic Violence Advocate who wants to support your specific needs.

Do you have space at the shelter?

Although the shelter has 42 beds, our capacity is always changing. If we aren’t able to provide space at any time, we rely on a strong network of temporary shelter solutions.  

Can my kids come to the shelter with me?

Yes, our shelter is a kid-friendly space. We have a special advocate focused on supporting children and youth. The shelter property includes a fenced playground and lots of swings. 

What about my pets?

Our shelter facility and rural property is pet-friendly. We also have partnerships to help with medical care of pets that have been harmed from abuse. Sometimes the shelter isn’t a good fit for family pets. If this is the case for your pet, we can help identify a temporary caregiver who is dedicated to fostering pets of survivors. 

Can someone come to court with me?

Legal advocates attend family court every day that a domestic violence case is being heard in all 17 counties we serve. 

What support groups do you offer?

We offer many support groups for survivors, and most are available online via Zoom. Find more information here. 

17 Counties 

Some people who need assistance don’t reach out because they don’t need emergency shelter. You don’t have to come to the shelter to receive services.  

Staff of our organization live and work in all 17 counties of our service area – Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, and Woodford.     

A hotline advocate will connect you with your county’s advocate. Even if you aren’t in these counties, we can direct you to the designated service provider for your area. 

Call us anytime.

800.544.2022

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Safe at Home Act

July 6, 2023By

The Safe at Home Act to encourage confidentiality for survivors of intimate partner abuse in Kentucky became effective June 29, 2023. 

This new Kentucky law allows victims fleeing domestic abuse to shield their new addresses from public records, mask their addresses on publicly available government records, and register to vote without their address being public. 

No special court order will be required, and the program is administered at no fee to participants. 

You are eligible for the program if able to provide a sworn statement that you are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking and believe address confidentiality will improve your safety. 

Call our 24-hour hotline for help completing the Safe at Home application form: 800-544-2022  

Submission of a complete and notarized application is required. Upon approved participation for the program, you will receive a participant card and packet of additional information. 

Participants may use the Secretary of State’s address on most public records instead of their own. The Secretary of State’s office will forward mail received to the participant’s confidential address. 

Approved participation remains valid for four years and can be renewed upon expiration. Most other states provide similar programs, and victims may be eligible for similar address confidentiality if they relocate. 

Follow this link to Secretary of State's office with more information and resources.

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five advocates enhanced protective order planBlog

Enhanced Protective Order Plan

January 24, 2023By

A new program has made it easier for survivors to file petitions for protective orders in Fayette County.

The Enhanced Protective Order Plan (EPOP) is a pilot project informed by the 2020 VAWA Statewide Needs Assessment which examines how Kentucky courts meet the needs of victims and examines barriers preventing survivors and their families from accessing support services. 

Through this program, five of our advocates were deputized to process Petitions for an Emergency Protective Order (EPO) and Interpersonal Protective Orders (IPO) for survivors who already reside at our shelter or receive our advocacy services in Fayette County. 

Fleeing an abuser can be the most dangerous time. This new effort provides survivors with access to the court from a safe location and eliminates transportation barriers that often can delay the process. The support of Certified Domestic Violence Advocates during the process can help ease complications and improve documentation during such a traumatic time. 

The Fayette Circuit Court Clerk’s office will continue to be available for all victims in Lexington-Fayette seeking assistance with domestic violence petitions. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact the Fayette Circuit Court Clerk at 859-246-2248 for office locations and more information. 

EPOP is coordinated through the Kentucky Courts in partnership with the Office of the Fayette Circuit Court Clerk and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Council. 

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Blog

Protect Family Pets

July 26, 2022By

Amendments to Kentucky laws related to domestic and personal orders of protection now include pets. Coercion, control, or revenge directed against a pet to control a spouse or dating partner is considered domestic violence.

Far too often, the most difficult step for victims of intimate partner abuse is leaving parts of their life behind to establish safety. Sometimes this includes their beloved pets.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports more than two-thirds of victims in emergency shelters say their batterer had harmed family pets for revenge or to emotionally control them. The coalition’s website also reports up to 40% of domestic violence victims are unable to escape their abusers because they are concerned about what might happen to their pets when they leave.

PARTNERS FOR PETS

We are committed to protecting and nurturing pets of survivors, too. Early efforts were supported with funding received from RedRover, a national organization committed to helping animals in crisis. SAF-T® guidelines developed by Allie Phillips inform our processes for sheltering animals and families together.

The Lexington Humane Society provides free examinations and vaccinations for every animal that lives with us, and our friends at the Chevy Chase Animal Hospital often provide medical care for animals with injuries from abuse.

The Lexington-Fayette Domestic & Sexual Violence Prevention Board also partners with Animal Care and Control to bring attention to the connection between animal abuse and intimate partner violence.

SAF-T for your pet

Follow the link above to read more.

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Blog

I’ll Stand by You

December 8, 2021By

“When in court I can’t act as your attorney, but I’m here for you.”

Survivors of intimate partner abuse often need to navigate the legal system for longer-term orders of protection and matters related to safety, custody, and property. This is where legal advocates come in. While the advocate’s role is to restore agency and explain processes, most importantly they stand beside survivors during one of the scariest days of the healing journey.

For many survivors, the court hearing will be the first time they see the abuser since escaping.

Morgan remembers her day in court like it was yesterday. “I instinctively look left, right, and there he is, and he’s got this look on his face that just sent a chill up my spine.”

Stephanie Love, a legal advocate serving survivors in Clark and Powell counties, says, “When in court I can’t act as your attorney, but I’m here for you. I can make sure you have what you need. I can nudge you to remember something. I can act as an extra barrier between you and the abuser.”

Advocates make sure survivors have a plan for their physical and emotional safety after court. They also provide connections to our support groups and local resources for food, clothing, and other needs.

“We get the survivor in touch with their community, so they aren’t just relying on us,” says Stephanie.“You want to have other relationships in your life. If you’ve just got the one relationship, how healthy are you as an individual? It’s the same with survivors.”

Legal advocacy and support services are made possible with federal grant funding from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), non-taxpayer funding generated by fines paid by federal criminals. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funding also provides survivors with no-cost attorney services and representation for especially difficult cases. The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet administers both funding sources.

YOU DESERVE TO BE SUPPORTED.

800.544.2022

Our 24-hour crisis hotline is answered every day of the year. You will speak to a compassionate Certified Domestic Violence Advocate who wants to support your specific needs.

Together, we can develop a safety plan that meets the specific needs of you and your children. Find emergency shelter with us or a partner shelter. Make plans for one of our legal advocates to accompany you to upcoming court appointments. Share information about nearby support groups.

You might not be ready to leave or want to know more to support a friend. That’s ok. We are here to listen, too. Please call us if you or someone you know is being harmed.

Read the fall issue of Bloom!

This is one article from our print newsletter. Follow the link above to read the full issue!

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21 Years

What is a healthy relationship?

February 2, 2021By

You deserve a healthy and loving relationship.

What is a healthy relationship? All relationships exist on a spectrum from healthy to abusive, with unhealthy being somewhere in the middle.

Healthy relationships are rooted in equality and respect. You actively make decisions together, especially when it comes to sex and financial decisions. Time together is enjoyable, and you enjoy your time apart.

Unhealthy relationships means one person is trying to control the other by making most of the decisions. You often spend all of your time together, and there are clear instances of miscommunication or lying.

Abusive relationships have a clear imbalance of power and control. One person is making all of the decisions, which leads to manipulation or isolation. All of your time is spent with your partner, and you don’t feel comfortable or safe discussing the relationship with others.

Do you wonder if your relationship might be unhealthy or abusive? Taking this quiz at loveisrespect.org could help you decide.

Key elements of a healthy relationship include healthy communication, healthy boundaries, mutual respect, and support for one another.
Image source: loveisrespect.org

Is your relationship unhealthy?

24-HOUR HOTLINE 800.544.2022

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