Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.
April 18–24, is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week- a week dedicated to raise awareness about crime victims’ issues and rights and introduce the community to the important resources and services available.
Journey Center wants to recognize the work our advocates do to support survivors who are navigating the justice system. Journey Center’s Justice System Advocacy Program is the only program providing services for victims of abuse in the inner ring suburban courts – 11 Cuyahoga County based courts, consisting of 56 municipalities - serving victims of domestic violence, stalking, and other crimes of intimate partner violence.
The work of Journey Center's Justice System Advocacy Program Advocates is to provide victims of domestic violence with services that research has shown to make them safer. Advocates demystify the court process, alert victims to potential consequences of the arrest of the abuser, explain next steps, and, most importantly provide support and access to resources they may need going forward.
Advocates can provide a multitude of services including:
Safety planning and danger assessments
Protection order assistance
Court escorts
An explanation of all applicable court processes and present options, with an emphasis on safety and self-determination
Personal advocacy
Resources and referrals
Follow-up phone calls, as needed, to ensure that victims are able to feel supported and informed during this often very difficult and frustrating experience
Journey Center and our advocates are committed to advocacy as a principal strategy to improve the justice system to assure that victims of abuse achieve safety, autonomy, health, well-being, independence, financial restitution, and justice.
Journey Center’s Justice System Advocacy Program served a total of 3,001 victims of domestic violence through the judicial process in the past year. To learn more, click here. To help support individuals and families navigating the legal system, click here.