Content Note: This partner profile discusses topics that may be disturbing to some, including domestic violence and sexual assault.
Domestic abuse and sexual assault impact the lives of individuals and families across the globe and all demographics, and those who experience abuse vary in their support needs depending on their situation. Those who disproportionately experience abuse are often members of underserved communities, including older adults, veterans, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, and children. These communities face unique barriers to support, which can put folks in the dangerous position of delaying seeking help.
The 30th Judicial District Alliance (The Alliance) reaches into the community to provide critical services at no cost to those who experience domestic abuse in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Graham, Clay and Cherokee counties. Specializing in reaching individuals who are disproportionately affected by domestic violence and sexual assault, The Alliance operates six programs designed to meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve: Children Exposed to Violence (CEV), Immigrant Outreach, Log Dog Therapy and Service Dogs, Veterans Outreach, and Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities.
The Alliance recognizes that, without support, children who witness and experience abuse are at a higher risk of lifelong struggles with mental, emotional, and behavioral health as a result of their trauma. The CEV Program provides support to children under 18 who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence and/or sexual assault through a variety of services such as evidence-based and trauma-informed therapies, case management, and the Dogwood-supported Parent-Child Interaction lab that serves as a safe space for cultivating positive relationships between children and non-offending caregivers. The CEV Program also incorporates the Log Dog Therapy and Service Dog program, overlapping to provide animal-assisted therapy to children, a practice that can offer survivors a much-needed sense of safety, security, and connection throughout their healing journey.
In rural WNC, immigrants and English language learners face unique challenges in accessing advocacy and social services, with the primary obstacle often being language barriers. The Immigrant Outreach Program seeks to mobilize a network of service providers in WNC to increase access to services for immigrant individuals and families affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. Primarily serving the Hispanic and Latino immigrant community, The Alliance leveraged funding from Dogwood to launch La Feria Comunitario, a collaborative event designed to improve access to Spanish-speaking resources for survivors in rural WNC. The event attracted 150 community attendees and 17 service-providing agencies, and The Alliance plans to host it annually. Year-round, bilingual program staff provide clients with access to services and resources tailored to the language and culture of community members, including trauma-informed mental health services, interpretation and translation assistance, court accompaniment, referrals to emergency shelters, and immigration and other legal relief options.
In addition to these programs, The Alliance offers programs to support veterans, older adults, and people with disabilities. The Alliance helps veterans access a variety of resources such as rehabilitation services and transitional housing, VA services, mental healthcare, educational and employment opportunities, direct services such as court accompaniment and more. As older adults and people with disabilities find themselves in the vulnerable position of needing more care, Alliance advocates play an important role in helping older adults and persons with disabilities realize their rights by providing all-encompassing advocacy services, resources, and community support.
Those who experience domestic abuse and sexual assault often feel alone in their struggle, and many delay seeking the help they need due to fear of retaliation from the abuser and/or difficulty navigating the landscape of supportive resources. Through a variety of critical services, The Alliance makes space for survivors to seek safety and empower themselves to begin the journey of healing from their traumatic experiences so that they may live without fear.
