Big or small- it takes all of us doing our part to support someone impacted by abuse. Those who have experienced or been impacted by domestic violence and child abuse are often isolated by their abusers- making it difficult to ask for help.
We can all take steps to let everyone know that they are loved and that they deserve safe relationships. Here are some things you can do to support those who have been impacted by abuse:
Read More2022 is just around the corner… a new year filled with opportunities to stand up against domestic violence and child. A year to continue to create awareness and let those impacted by abuse know that they are not alone and that everyone deserves relationships build on love, respect, and safety.
Journey Center wants to take a moment to look back at highlights from our year with a renewed hope and energy to support safety, healing, and breaking cycles. Take a look below!
Read MoreCarol Carbary, Journey Center’s chief development and engagement officer, was recognized recently as the Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Greater Cleveland. The annual award was conferred as part of AFP’s National Philanthropy Day festivities.
Read MoreCarolina Phillips, a domestic relations justice system advocate for Journey Center for Safety and Healing, was recognized recently as one of the 100+ Latinos Cleveland Must Know.
The recognition program was created last year to elevate the profile of outstanding members of the Latino/Hispanic community in Greater Cleveland so as to create greater visibility and more professional and leadership opportunities for members of the community. This year’s program was also presented by Hispanic Star, a nationwide collective dedicated to unifying the Latino and Hispanic community.
Read MoreCLEVELAND — Across Ohio, officials are seeing a stark increase in domestic violence over the span of two years.
The Ohio Domestic Violence Network reported 131 people died from domestic violence from July 2020 to June of 2021. That’s a 20% increase from the previous year and a 62% increase since 2018-19. All of this is something those at Journey Center for Safety and Healing aren't shocked about, saying at one point during the pandemic, they saw fewer calls.
Read MoreCOLUMBUS, Ohio — On Wednesday, members of the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 3, also known as "Aisha's Law," which would grant additional protections to the state's domestic violence survivors.
The bill is named after Aisha Fraser, a longtime teacher from Shaker Heights who was fatally stabbed in November 2018 by her ex-husband, former Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court judge and State Sen. Lance Mason.
“There are evidence-based indicators that a case is more likely to escalate to a homicide or to a nearly fatal attack. Some of those indicators are if the abuser owns a gun, if there’s ever been strangulation in the relationship, at all, if there’s been a recent job loss, if an abuser has ever threatened suicide,” said Melissa Graves, CEO of Journey Center For Safety and Healing in Cleveland.
Read MoreStrangulation is one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence, according to the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention. It can result in unconsciousness within seconds and death within minutes. The National Domestic Violence Hotline reported strangulation is also a significant predictor of future lethal violence.
“There are evidence-based indicators that a case is more likely to escalate to a homicide or to a nearly fatal attack. Some of those indicators are if the abuser owns a gun, if there’s ever been strangulation in the relationship, at all, if there’s been a recent job loss, if an abuser has ever threatened suicide,” said Melissa Graves, CEO of Journey Center For Safety and Healing in Cleveland.
Read MoreCLEVELAND (WJW) – When domestic violence escalated during the pandemic, community leaders in Northeast Ohio were not surprised.
It’s been a year and half and they say the number of violent cases keeps growing.
“There are evidence-based indicators that a case is more likely to escalate to a homicide or to a nearly fatal attack. Some of those indicators are if the abuser owns a gun, if there’s ever been strangulation in the relationship, at all, if there’s been a recent job loss, if an abuser has ever threatened suicide,” said Melissa Graves, CEO of Journey Center For Safety and Healing in Cleveland.
Read MoreDomestic violence thrives in silence. To be able to support and help victims and survivors, and to prevent domestic violence in the future, we all need to talk about it. As a supporter of domestic violence victims and survivors, we need you to help us spread the word and get involved during Journey Center's Week of Action!
We hope you'll join us during this important week, and all month long, to let individuals impacted by domestic violence know that they are not alone and to engage advocates, partners, and our community in starting this important conversation.
Read MoreCLEVELAND, Ohio — Domestic violence killings spiked over the past year in Ohio, with more child victims than any time in the last six years, according to a new survey released Tuesday by the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.
The Columbus-based advocacy group said 131 people died from domestic violence from July 2020 to June 2021. That total represents a 20% increase over the same timeframe from 2019-20, and a 62% increase over that timeframe in 2018-19.
Read MoreJourney’s Domestic Violence Housing First Initiative will quickly connect domestic violence victims to stable housing, regardless of whether or not they come into Shelter. Gaining self-sufficiency away from an abuser has tremendous ripple effects throughout the survivor’s family and community. Children are no longer exposed to abuse; survivors are less like to lose their job; the health, homeless, and child welfare systems may be used less; and the generational cycle of violence and poverty is more likely to end.
Read MoreAbout 1 in 3 Latinas will experience domestic violence during their lifetime and 1 in 12 Latinas have experienced domestic violence in the previous 12 months.
Latina victims face unique obstacles to receiving help such as fear of deportation, social isolation, misinformation and lack of knowledge about legal rights and/or law enforcement capabilities and structure, language differences, and limited knowledge of social service resources.
Providing basic education on topics relating to domestic violence, dating violence, and child abuse is critical to building awareness and addressing these public health crises in our community. Part of that work includes Journey Center’s Prevention and Community Education Program (PACE).
PACE provides professional training, community education, outreach, and referral information to other organizations and individuals in our community that may be working with individuals and families experiencing domestic violence and/or child abuse. This includes: professional trainings, outreach, and educational classes.
Have you ever felt unsafe in your home? Individuals and families living in homes where domestic violence occurs often feel unsafe and unsure where to go or who to turn to. When making the choice to leave an abusive relationship knowing that you are going to a safe, welcoming place may make the process of leaving easier.
Read MoreJourney Center for Safety and Healing values diversity and inclusion at all levels and is committed to modeling our work through a lens of anti-racism and equity. We know that we must remain grounded in the experiences of those most vulnerable in our communities - particularly survivors of color. Without their voices, we cannot begin to accomplish our work of serving all survivors. We are committed to an intentional examination of how our internal structure and community partnerships may be reinforcing systems of oppression. But, most importantly, Journey Center for Safety and Healing is committed to action. We work to counter the effects of historical oppression that result in devastating disparities in safety, health, and well-being for survivors in marginalized communities.
Read MoreSafe & Sound is the only one of its kind in Cuyahoga County helping high-risk, high-conflict families in need of safe, supervised visits. The program meets a critical need in the community by increasing the safety of the child(ren) and the residential parent or guardian when domestic violence, mental health or substance abuse is an issue, or when other significant life challenges may put the child(ren) at risk.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreCLEVELAND — Domestic violence advocates are worried about how the pandemic is affecting survivors. They said it's putting further stress on an already fragile situation in several different ways and are worried about the long-term effects it could have.
“This pandemic and this isolation actually just added a really difficult barrier and challenge for survivors,” said Victoria Grant, the Justice System, Racial Equity, and Inclusion Manager at the Journey Center of Safety and Healing.
Read MoreCLEVELAND -- As Congress passes another coronavirus relief package, millions of unemployed workers remain waiting for the help they desperately need. For immigrant survivors of domestic violence, waiting for help in a time of need is nothing new.
Read MoreWith the number of COVID-19 cases rising, Journey Center for Safety and Healing is concerned about rising numbers of domestic violence and is receiving less funding.
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