Escaping Violence: A Glance at Emergency Shelters
Victimization presents itself differently amongst victims of both Domestic and Sexual violence. Several aspects of a survivor’s life are lost or changed after becoming a victim. There can be loss of control, stability, and overall safety. Professionals in the field often discuss the tools used in gaining power and control in a relationship, such as: isolation, abuse, and manipulation. One might ask, “Where can victims go to seek help when they have no where else to turn, and no one else to support them?”
According to DomesticShelters.org, the state of Illinois has recorded having 71 agencies servicing Domestic Violence and out of that 71 agencies, 45 agencies are recorded as offering emergency shelter. Emergency shelter for Mutual Ground can be defined as a place of safety offered to individuals and families escaping domestic or sexual violence. During the programmed stay victims are engaged with supportive services such as, counseling, case management, and group counseling. The stress of escaping violence and adjusting to a communal living environment can take a toll on the victims who seek help and safety. At Mutual Ground we empathize with this and we strive to alleviate or help the client cope with some of those difficulties.
The residential facility is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so that program participants are able to access an advocate whenever needed. All victim advocates are trained and certified to work with victims of domestic and sexual violence. These skills are useful when identifying trauma responses, triggers, and other effects of violence that interact with the coping and healing process of trauma. According to one of Mutual Ground’s very own staff members, “When I think of the shelter clients, I think of making sure that they feel safe and heard. This way they can feel comfortable moving forward and accepting help,” (Kelly, Victim Advocate).
Servicing individuals and families can often be seen as “difficult” or “intense” from the perspective of a layperson (a person who does not have expert knowledge of a particular subject). However, through the lens of being client-centered and trauma-informed, we recognize that beliefs, reactions, and behaviors are not meant to be “difficult” or “intense,” rather they are meant to serve as survival skills or safety nets for victims. Helping victims through these obstacles is a part of the process in creating a new normal for them. By practicing unconditional positive regard and patience with residential clients we are demonstrating the care we have for their success. The care we put into working with clients can be traced to the overall intention of helping the client build independence and tools of their own that they can take with them in order to stay informed and keep themselves safe, or continuing in healing.
During the programmed shelter stay the client engages in counseling, case management, family counseling, and support groups. These are opportunities for them to learn and grow towards finding stability. Although Mutual Ground may be a fraction of time in the healing process, we hope that we can count towards a bigger impact.
Written by
Arilene Valdez
Residential Counselor at Mutual Ground
Mutual Ground Domestic Violence Hotline: 630.897.0080
Mutual Ground Sexual Violence Hotline: 630.897.8383