One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center Opens in Birmingham - www.oneplacebirmingham.com
Media Contact: Allison Dearing
Email: adearing@crisiscenterbham.com
Phone: (205) 325-5252 ext. 4740
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center Opens in Birmingham
New organization assists victims of domestic violence and sexual assault with comprehensive center
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (May 12, 2016) -- Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault living in the metro-Birmingham community no longer need to visit multiple sites for supportive services with the launch of the newly formed One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center (One Place), located at the Jefferson County Criminal Justice Center.
One Place is a comprehensive center for domestic violence and sexual assault services, created through the collaboration of the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, the YWCA Central Alabama, the City of Birmingham - Birmingham Police Department and the Crisis Center, Inc. One Place’s multi-disciplinary team is comprised of professionals from law enforcement and social services organizations who work together in one location to provide coordinated services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) estimates that 75 percent of domestic violence cases and 54 percent of sexual assaults are never reported. Too often, victims are forced to relive the trauma of the crime each time they are asked to provide an account of the victimization to a different, separate agency. Victims can become frustrated and stop seeking help, returning to a dangerous situation or abusive partner. One Place seeks to remove these barriers, increase victim safety and empowerment and increase prosecution of offenders.
“There are more than 4,000 domestic violence and sexual assault cases in Jefferson County each year,” said Brandon Falls, District Attorney, Jefferson County. “This is unacceptable, but law enforcement and community organizations are joining together to help combat this tremendous problem. One Place gives us the opportunity to support victims during their time of crisis in a seamless and efficient manner.”
When visiting One Place, victims will have the opportunity to meet with law enforcement, provided by the Birmingham Police Department, prosecutors from the Jefferson County District Attorneys’ Office, civil legal service providers from the YWCA’s Family Law Center and community-based advocates from the Crisis Center, Inc. who will help with safety planning, shelter, medical services, transportation and counseling.
“We are fortunate to have a strong network of services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Birmingham; however, in the past, people would have to visit multiple sites to receive the needed services for themselves and their children,” said Allison Dearing, executive director, One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center. “Today, all of our complementary services are located in one building to make the road to safety more accessible.”
The Family Justice Center model has been identified as a best practice in the field of domestic violence intervention and prevention services by the DOJ. Communities with a center that follows the Family Justice Center model typically experience reduced homicides, increased victim safety, reduced fear and anxiety for victims, increased prosecution of offenders and increased community support for services to victims and their children.
Initial support for One Place was provided by The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, The Junior League of Birmingham, and the United Way of Central Alabama.
“We are grateful for the support of The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, The Junior League of Birmingham, and the United Way of Central Alabama,” said Allison Dearing, executive director, One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center. “Their commitment to helping us end the cycle of domestic violence and sexual assault is making One Place a reality and will impact many lives for years to come.”
In early fall 2016, One Place will transition to its own building located in Southside near UAB. The space is currently under renovations and will be designed in a manner to best serve victims. The building was donated to One Place by United Way of Central Alabama and will include court advocacy, prosecution, law enforcement, and counseling services on site.
One Place currently is located on the bottom floor of the Jefferson County Courthouse, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Criminal Justice Center located at 801 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North and is open Monday – Thursday, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Appointments are not required and all services are free and confidential. For additional information, please visit www.oneplacebirmingham.com or call (205) 325-5252 ext. 4740. For 24/7 crisis services, please contact the YWCA at (205) 322-4878 or The Crisis Center at (205) 323-7273.
