VICTIM'S SERVICES
Crisis Hotline
How does it work?
The domestic violence crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day. Crisis counselors can simply listen or they can provide callers with information about how to connect to resources including shelters, legal assistance, support groups, or counseling. Hotline counselors also give information about domestic violence and safety planning.
Hotline #’s: 559-732-5941 (Visalia) 559-685-9515 (Tulare)
Emergency Shelter
How does it work?
Family Services emergency shelter offers women and their children up to thirty days of free, confidential shelter, meals, and services. An extension of residency may be available if needed.
Male victims are provided shelter at an alternative site.
Who is eligible for this service?
Any victim of physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, or intimate partner violence.
How to access this service?
Victims seeking shelter must personally call the hotline. A crisis counselor/victim will carry out a short assessment. Following acceptance to the shelter, the advocate will arrange to meet the victim and escort her to the confidential shelter location.
What information needs to be provided?
The crisis counselor will ask for information about the violence or abuse and basic information about the victim and their children. She will ask where the victim is and discuss transportation options. The crisis counselor will ask whether the victim has used non-prescription drugs or alcohol in the past few days and will ask if the victim is taking any prescribed medications as ordered.
Are there other program requirements?
In the first 48 hours of shelter, a victim is usually not allowed to leave the shelter or contact family members. This is for the safety of the victim and their children.
What is the shelter like?
For the safety of the victims, the location of the shelter is confidential. During their stay, families usually have a private bedroom, and are provided with meals, case management, emotional support, professional counseling and legal assistance. In addition, there is an on-site children’s program including instruction from a credentialed teacher provided by the Visalia Unified School District. All residents are expected to share in household chores and food preparation. There is an early evening curfew. Books, games and movies are available in the common rooms.
What will it cost?
All emergency shelter services are free.
Community Crisis Response
How does it work?
Family Services' Victim Advocates will respond in person to calls from hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, law enforcement facilities, schools, businesses, other agencies or community locations. The advocates can provide victims and others impacted by a domestic violence situation with emotional support, information, referrals and advocacy.
Who is eligible for this service?
Any victim of physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, or intimate partner violence, or any workplace or community site affected by domestic violence.
How to access this service.
A victim or a third party helping the victim may call the crisis hotline and request that a crisis counselor come to your location. An appointment will be scheduled in accordance with victim’s needs and availability of staff.
What information needs to be provided?
The crisis counselor will ask for a summary of the situation and what the immediate needs are, if known. She will also ask questions to ensure that the meeting is set at a safe location.
What will it cost?
All community crisis response services are free.
Domestic Violence Survivor Support Groups
Who is eligible for this service?
Any victim of physical, emotional, sexual, or intimate partner violence.
How to access this service.
Family Services currently offers domestic violence survivor support groups in Visalia and Tulare. Both groups are “open entry”- meaning that an individual can start the group at any point and is not requested to stay for any specific number of sessions. The Visalia group meets on Tuesday evenings, and the Tulare group meets on Tuesday mornings. For more information on the locations of these groups you may call the Family Services main office at (559)741-7310 or the domestic violence hotline at (559)732-5941.
What will it cost?
There is no charge for the Domestic Violence Survivor Support Groups.
Individual Counseling
Who is eligible for this service?
Any victim of physical, emotional, sexual, or intimate partner violence.
How to access this service.
Individual counseling for domestic violence survivors is done at the Family Services individual and family counseling center. Individuals seeking this service may apply in person at 815 W. Oak St. in Visalia. You must complete an application for services and bring proof of income to assist in determining the fee for service.
What will it cost?
Individual counseling for victims of domestic violence who are currently in an emergency shelter is free. If the individual is not in a shelter but has left the abuser, they may qualify for services at no cost or low cost through Victim Witness funds.
If a victim does not meet either of these criteria, their fee for service is based on their income.
Legal Assistance and Criminal Justice System Support
How does it work?
Paralegal staff assist victims to complete applications for temporary or permanent restraining orders. They also provide information about Family and Criminal Court processes. Legal Advocates can provide information about immigration and residency issues related to domestic violence under the Violence Against Women Act. Legal Advocates may accompany clients to Court hearings or support victims during interviews with law enforcement officers or district attorneys. Victims can request to meet legal advocates at safe locations in their communities to obtain assistance with restraining order and temporary custody applications.
Who is eligible for this service?
Any victim of physical, emotional, sexual, or intimate partner violence.
How to access this service.
Contact the domestic violence legal advocates at (559) 741-7318 or (559) 741-7317, or the domestic violence hotline at (559) 732-5941. These services are available in both English and Spanish.
What information needs to be provided?
Copies of police reports or existing Emergency Protective Orders are helpful. The Legal Advocate will ask for specific information about the abuse incidents.
What will it cost?
Legal services for victims of domestic violence are free of charge.
Teen Relationship Violence Prevention
How does it work?
Prevention Educators can make either one time presentations or can provide a series of small interactive groups or presentations to groups of youth or adults who work with youth. The prevention educator can also provide training, curriculum, and consultation about how teachers and youth workers can address teen relationship violence in the context of their regular activities or lessons.
Who is eligible for this service?
All schools, churches, youth organizations, healthcare agencies, or other teen focused organizations throughout Tulare County are eligible to receive education and prevention services related to teen relationship violence issues.
How to access this service.
Contact our Prevention Educator at (559) 741-7319.
What will it cost?
The teen relationship violence prevention and education services are free of charge.
Community Education
Who is eligible for this service?
Service clubs, schools, church groups, healthcare agencies, businesses and other organizations interested in learning more about domestic violence information, referral and resources.
How to access this service.
Contact our Prevention Educator at (559) 741-7319 or the domestic violence hotline
at (599) 732-5941.
What will it cost?
Community education services are free.
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