24-Hour Crisis Line: (317) 776-3472

Support Programs - Youth Services

Children’s Services

Domestic violence and sexual molestation impact all members of a family.

Children are particularly vulnerable. They may feel the abuse is their fault or they may lash out by emulating the actions of the abuser.

To break the cycle of violence, children must learn healthy reactions and coping skills.

In addition to individual and family sessions, Prevail offers support groups specifically for children. “Exploring My World” is a specific 10-week curriculum focusing on emotions, safety and other coping skills for children ages 6-11 who have experienced domestic violence. "Trailblazers" is a 10-week curriculum for children who have been sexually molested. These sessions run concurrently with parent support group to help non-ofending parent or guardian address their feelings so they can help their child.

  • “I learned that abuse is physical, emotional, or sexual hurts and is not an accident.”
  • “I learned about healthy and unhealthy families.”
  • “We see [our children] wanting to move from survivors to thrivers – and we will continue to use what we learned at Prevail to help them do just that.”

In addition to on-site services, Prevail Advocates provide court support in custody hearings as well as assistance in filing protective orders for children.


Child Advocacy Centers

Prevail is an active member of the multidisciplinary teams at local child advocacy centers. Child Advocacy Centers are neutral, child-friendly, home-like environments where a single, comprehensive investigative interview can take place in cases of alleged child sexual or physical abuse and neglect.

Allowing a child to tell their story one time lessens the trauma and allows healing to begin.

The Prevail advocate on site provides emotional support to parents during this trying time. Additionally the advocate serves as a resource for referrals to programs – such as Prevail’s support groups – to help the child and their parents move on from this incident.

 

Adolescent Services

Being a teenager is difficult enough. Add living in a home with violence or being the victim of sexual assault and things are even more confusing.

Prevail offers one-on-one support to teens as well as two particular support groups meeting very different needs.

“Making Choices” is a group for teens living with or having experienced domestic violence. It strives to help teens move forward with their lives in a safe, healthy manner.

“Courage to Heal” was developed as a resource for teens who have been sexually assaulted. Instead of feeling scared and alone, the group allows these young women to express their feelings and develop strategies for moving forward.

Prevention Programming

The ‘Safe Dates’ program is an ongoing prevention effort for 8th grade students in Hamilton County Schools.  Safe Dates is an evidence based program designed to stop or prevent the initiation of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse on dates or between individuals involved in a dating relationship.  Intended for both males and females, the goals of the program include: 1) changing adolescent dating violence and gender-role norms, 2) improving peer help-giving and dating conflict resolution skills, 3) promoting victim and perpetrator beliefs in the need for help and seeking help through the community resources that provide it, and 4) decreasing dating abuse victimization and perpetration. 

Through the largest grant they have ever made in Hamilton County, the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana (a CICF Affiliate) allowed Prevail to begin implementing Safe Dates during the 2010-2011 school year. 

TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS
The following video underscores the importance of knowing the signs of teen dating violence. It is the story of Heather Norris, who was tragically murdered at the hands of her abuser.

 

What Clients Say...

  • “I learned that changes happened 4 years ago and it was really bad, and now it is better. In another year, it might be the best.”
  • “I know that I am not the only one. I used to think that I was and I am surprised to find out that I am not the only one.”