By Mark Schmerling

One definition of “life line” is, “An anchored line thrown as a support to someone falling or drowning.”

Though not literally true in the sense of a tangible line, this otherwise describes the mission and abilities of Steps to Hope, which provides support for abused partners, both female and male, in Polk County.

“We help men the same as we help women,” emphasized Cherie Wright, victim service director and case manager at Steps to Hope. She noted that while most domestic violence victims are women, some are men. She and the rest of the Steps to Hope staff practice no bias toward anyone, she said.

Steps to Hope also operates a shelter for abused women, adjacent to the agency’s office in Columbus. If men need a safe shelter, they might be placed in a hotel.

Sometimes, said Wright, abused partners need to move out quickly, and have little time to take meaningful things with them.

In one case, she related, a woman who decided to leave a potentially dangerous situation, had only 30 minutes to move to the shelter. But, her dog, whom she cherished, was still in her home, and she needed her pet’s company as emotional support. So, she went back to the home from which she had just escaped, grabbed her dog, and returned to Steps to Hope, unhurt, and with a trusted companion.

“That would be why we built this pet kennel, Wright noted.

When law enforcement officials are called to a tense or violent domestic situation, the victim does not always press charges against his or her partner, but officials generally fill out a contact report, which gives Wright and her co-workers helpful information.

Emotions that plague many victims include “‘confusion, fear and ‘where do I go?’” Wright said. Victims often fear for their children, their pets and themselves.

“There’s always someone who doesn’t know who we are, and why we are,” Wright noted.

In addition, when pointed out, while so many women are afraid to come forward for help, and admit they have been abused, men as a rule are even more likely to deny being abused.

Steps to Hope, which works closely with the Polk County Sheriff’s Dept., is located at 60 Ward Street, Columbus. Help can be found by phoning (828) 894 2340. Shelter staff members are on the job at night, said Wright, who noted that someone will always answer the phone. For emergencies, individuals can call 911.

Wright said that when she speaks to an abuse victim, she tries to get the victim to relax. Often, she said, victims need someone to speak with initially. Wright might ask the victim to describe a desired outcome. When a victim arrives at Steps to Hope, “they might come in with a busted lip or scratches and bruises,” Wright said.

Wright noted specifically that Steps to Hope provides, with its limited space, a safe shelter, for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault, not a general homeless shelter.

“I’m a trained court advocate,” Wright emphasized. If a victim wishes to go to court, a case manager will help her or him through the judicial paperwork. In such cases, Wright explains to victims that this is a legal process that they, the victim, might have to miss work.

That alone is often a hardship for victims. Some don’t have a job, or don’t earn enough to provide for themselves. In some cases, they have no means of even getting to and from work, especially if the car on which they depend, is in the abuser’s name.

In cases that go to court, a judge must initiate an ex parte order, a temporary order that might precede a protective order. Ex parte orders are good for ten days only, before the victim appears in court for another hearing. The order, said Wright, goes to a district court officer. Victims will receive a safety plan if they choose to return home.

Next step after an ex parte order is a domestic violence protective order. Permanent orders are good for one year, and renewable for two years

To assist children of abused partners, “We immediately get Child Protection Services (Within Polk County’s Dept. of Social Services) involved,” Wright said.

Steps to Hope offers victims six advocates (Two of whom are on staff; the other four are volunteers).

Advocates, Wright emphasized, cannot give advice.

“All we can do is options, suggestions, no legal advice at all.”

However, Steps to Hope can and does refer victims to attorneys at Pisgah Legal Services.

“I refer every case,” Wright said, noting that many victims lack money a car, and even much clothing, as abusers often try to maintain control over much of the victim’s life.

“They (victims, often) haven’t got resource one,” Wright stressed. “He (the defendant) has a job,” and can often hire an expensive attorney.

“Pisgah is our blessing,” Wright said. She noted that even if Pisgah cannot take a given case, they will counsel the victim over the phone.

“Victim” is a term shunned by many abused individuals. At Steps to Hope, they might be known as “residents” or “clients.”

Regardless, “I try to empower them,” noted Wright. Often, Wright will give the client a list of things to accomplish each week, and the client must do those without Wright’s assistance.

While Wright will make suggestions, “I will not do it (the work) for them. That’s empowerment.”

Steps to Hope provides the following services:

• Safe shelter (“It’s key,” Wright noted).

• Case management, to assist with resources.

• Court advocacy, with assistance from the judicial process.

• Domestic Abuse Intervention Program (DAIP), formerly called the 26-week program, with one for men, one for women.

 

Two children’s programs, including karate programs for different age levels. “We see these kids go in, and we see the changes (very positive, she notes) in them,” Wright announced. The program boosts their self-esteem. Most of the children in these classes live at home, though some live in the shelter.

Parenting education (open to anyone, not simply shelter residents).

 

Parenting support

 

In addition to these programs, Steps to Hope personnel go to schools and conduct programs to combat bullying. The curriculum is guided by the respective principals, Wright said.

Steps to Hope also operates a thrift store. It’s not a service, but it helps us survive,” Wright noted. Steps to Hope obtains much of its funding from donations and thrift store sales (Items are donated). In 2013, Steps to Hope received seed money from one of its board members.

Subsidized housing for clients in Polk County is very limited, said Wright. Subsidy is through the state.

Wright noted that the Polk County Sheriff’s Dept. has a domestic violence officer, and added that the office is a good resource for the agency.

“We (Steps to Hope) always have a presence in the courtroom,” Wright said of the Sheriff’s department.

“Once you start working in this, you will never stop,” Wright emphasized. “The need is so huge. I love my job.”