I recently had the opportunity to visit the Center for
Prevention of Abuse, the only agency in Illinois that provides combined
services for domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse. Located in
central Illinois, it is a safe haven for victims. Some of the sororities on my
university’s campus actually donate money and items to this agency as part of
their philanthropy. All of the services and items that the Center for
Prevention of Abuse provides for its clients are thanks to donations. The types
of services they provide include prevention, violence intervention, therapy,
advocacy, domestic violence family centered, sexual assault, and senior
services. Their main location actually provides emergency and transitional
housing for high-risk (or “Priority Level 3”, as they rank those who may be
admitted here) clients whose lives are in great danger. Many people will call
in for help from this agency, and they provide them with the best resources to
help them. They even offer programs for abusers (the Family Violence
Intervention Project is connected with the Peoria County Family Justice
Center), which will help them learn how to build positive, violence-free
relationships. The services offered are very helpful to both victims and
abusers to get them back on a positive path in life.
The Center for Prevention of Abuse
is very protective of its clients. When it comes to their main facility, people
cannot freely walk into the building. One must be buzzed in, or workers have to
scan to enter the building and even certain areas within the building. With
such high security because of the housing, it makes sense that the agency
doesn’t list their address openly on their website. This is a place where
survivors can truly feel safe, and I am happy that a place like this exists.
If you would like to know more
about the Center for Prevention of Abuse and how you can help, visit their
website at www.centerforpreventionofabuse.org.
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