DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRISIS CENTER
1111 SUMMER STREET 203, STAMFORD, CT 06905 www.dvccct.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: DVCCs role is to help those experiencing any level of domestic violence and assist them in building a safer environment for the well-being of themselves and their families. Our services include housing and financial advocacy; legal advocacy; trauma-informed individual and group counseling; and emergency safe housing. All victim services are free and confidential, and all services offered are multicultural/multilingual.

Domestic Violence Crisis Centers mission is to provide effective services, support, and education for the prevention and elimination of domestic violence across the Connecticut communities of Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, New Canaan, Weston, Westport, Wilton, and beyond. In FY 2020, DVCC provided services to 4,021 domestic violence victims and their children in the towns we serve.

Housing & Financial Advocacy DVCCS housing and financial advocates work with victims to connect them with housing resources and to help them find safe, affordable, permanent housing. Advocates work alongside victims to create financial wellness and safety plans. This includes repairing damaged or low credit scores, budgeting, building resumes, and strengthening job-seeking skills. DVCC provided housing and financial advocacy to 259 victims and placed 40 clients in permanent, safe housing. Some of the outcomes from our Housing and Financial Advocacy program in FY 2020 include: 80% of victims reported increased financial security, more specifically increased money management and budget skills, better understanding of managing outstanding debts, and establishing emergency savings plans; 67% of victims reported increased job readiness, more specifically establishing safety plans at work and understanding victims rights in the workplace as well as increased preparedness for a job search; and 80% of victims reported increased safety as home, more specifically an increased understanding and ability to sustain lease terms as a tenant and establishing safety plans

Legal Advocacy Legal advocates work with victims on both civil and criminal matters within the court system. This includes helping victims obtain orders of protection. Legal Advocates are present at arraignments and domestic violence criminal hearings to advocate for victims. They provide one-on-one legal consultations to assist victims with family legal issues, including child support, custody, alimony, and divorce. In FY2020, DVCC provided criminal advocacy service such as help with obtaining protective orders, to 2,888 victims.

Counseling DVCC offers shortterm individual counseling with survivors of domestic violence to help them understand the effects of trauma, identify options and goals, and develop safety plans. We offer group counseling which fosters a supportive environment that helps to lessen feelings of isolation for victims.Child Counseling DVCC has a dedicated, full-time youth and family counselor on staff to provide one-on-one counseling, parent/child counseling and as well as age-appropriate support groups for children as secondary victims of domestic violence. The counselor also works with young adults as primary victims of domestic violence. From the period of July 2020- December 2020, DVCC provided counseling to 100 children. 100% of the children were able to identify what to do when they are feeling angry. 80% were able to identify what to do when they are feeling sad, with 60% of those indicating when feeling sad, they would talk to someone, and specifically named the individual they would talk to, 80% of the children were able to identify what to do when they are feeling anxious and 100% of the children indicated that fighting between adults is not their fault and that violence is never okay.

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