Community Based Programs

SWC offers a variety of community-based services, including the following:

• A domestic violence hotline: If you think or know you are in an abusive relationship (link to "signs you are in an abusive relationship") and want to talk to someone about your options; if you know a friend or family member who is in abusive relationship and want to know how to help them; if you need emergency shelter because you fear your partner, you can call our hotline. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In Berkeley County call 263-8292. In Jefferson County call 725-7080. In Morgan County call 258-1078. If you are calling after business hours (5pm-9am) during the weekend or on holidays, you will reach our answering service - they will take your number and page the advocate who is on-call. You should receive a call back within 10 minutes or less.

• A Sexual Assault Hotline: If you have been sexually assault or raped recently or in the past - even the distant past - and you want to talk to someone about what happened, or you want to know what you can do, you can call our hotline. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In Berkeley County call 263-8292. In Jefferson County call 725-7080. In Morgan County call 258-1078. If you are calling after business hours (5pm-9am) during the weekend or on holidays, you will reach our answering service - they will take your number and page the advocate who is on-call. You should receive a call back within 10 minutes or less.

• Offices in Martinsburg, Charles Town and Berkeley Springs : SWC has outreach offices in Martinsburg, Charles Town, and Berkeley Springs. They offer clients a convenient and safe place for crisis intervention and licensed professional counseling. In all three locations, clients have access to trained advocates who can lend support or give options. Call before going to the offices.

  The locations are as follows:

  Martinsburg
  236 W. Martin St.
  263-8522

  Charles Town
  110 N. Lawrence St.
  725-7080

  Berkeley Springs
  258-1078

• Crisis and goal oriented professional counseling: SWC offers confidential counseling by licensed professional counselors. A sliding scale fee is used, allowing clients to pay what they are able to according to their financial situation. Clients must first complete an intake interview with an advocate, at which time the fee will be assessed. The minimum of $5.00 per session will be charged for each counseling session.

• Support and counseling groups such as Domestic Violence, Adult Survivors of Incest, Sexual Assault Survivors, and Women in Transition: SWC holds periodic support groups for survivors with various issues. These groups are formed as the need arises - when enough clients have requested a group, one is formed and begins meeting. Call SWC if you are interested in participating in a group.

• Specialized support, advocacy and counseling for child and adult victims of sexual assault/abuse: SWC advocates and counselors work with clients to explain the options available to them and help them determine the course of their recovery.

• Legal, criminal justice, medical and social services advocacy: SWC advocates are available to accompany clients to the police department, hospital, court hearings, or meetings with attorneys and provide support in these situations.

• Emergency Protective Order (FPO) preparation counseling: SWC advocates work with clients to explain the procedure for seeking a FPO, what options are available in the FPO, and what the client can expect in the court hearing.

• Children's groups: Children's support and counseling groups are held at the shelter when in demand.

• ADT systems and cell phones: SWC has cell phones (for emergency use only) and ADT safety pendants available for clients who meet specific criteria. Clients are required to meet with the advocate to complete required paperwork before receiving these safety measures.

Ride Along Program

In 1996, SWC began an innovative program with the Martinsburg Police Department to better meet the needs of victim of domestic and sexual violence. Trained volunteers and staff ride with officers and respond to the needs of victims once the scene is secured by the police officer. This program also provides an opportunity to communicate with officers regarding SWC policies and procedures when working with victims, as well as enabling staff to learn from officers their concerns about responding to domestic violence calls. This program became known as the Ride-Along Program, or RAP. In 1998, SWC expanded the RAP to the Shepherdstown and Ranson police departments. If you would like to learn more about this program, or if you would like to volunteer to Ride-Along, please contact SWC at 263-8522.

Visitation Program

Established in 1999, the Monitored Visitation Center of the Eastern Panhandle provides non-custodial parents access to their child(ren) through regularly scheduled visitations in a secure and monitored setting. SWC provides management, staffing, and fiscal administration for the Visitation Center, and The Little Eagle Child Care Center provides the facility for the visitations and also provides staffing. The Program is open every Saturday from 9:00PM to 1:00PM, and can provide supervision for up to six families.

Families are referred to the program by Family Law Judges, and must complete an intake interview prior to starting the program. Security for the program is provided by ProTec Security. To learn more about this program, please contact Teresa Shumate at 263-8522.

Shelter-based programs

Civil Legal Aid to Victims Many victims of domestic and sexual violence have civil legal issues with which they need assistance, including emergency protection orders, divorce actions, child custody cases, bankruptcy, etc. SWC can help people with these needs in a variety of ways.

Legal Aid of West Virginia -
SWC partners with Legal Aid of West Virginia's (LAWV) Martinsburg Regional office, which provides free civil legal services to domestic violence victims through State and Federal funding sources.

Conflict of Interest Grant -
While LAWV helps many victims of domestic violence and sexual assault with their civil legal issues, sometimes they are unable to provide services due to a conflict of interest. The reasons for a conflict of interest can vary, and include when a victim's partner has already applied for or been provided with legal services by LAWV. If this happens, SWC has special funding from the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence to help victims secure legal representation. For more information about this funding, please contact Christina Freels at 263-8522.

Pro Bono Project -
One way victims of domestic violence can increase their safety is to apply for a Family Protective Order from the courts. The initial hearing for an Emergency Protective order usually does not involve attorneys, but having an attorney at the Final Hearing can often increase the chances that the petitioner (the victim) will receive the Final Order, and that the conditions imposed by the court in the Order are more favorable to the petitioner. SWC can help victims locate attorneys willing to provide pro bono (free) legal representation at their Final Hearing. If you are a victim seeking a Protective Order and wish to have an attorney represent you at your Final Hearing, contact SWC at 263-8522. SWC also helps coordinate workshops given by LAWV for people pursuing their legal issues Pro Se (representing themselves). These workshops occur on a monthly basis, and are by registration only. For a schedule of upcoming workshops, or to register for a workshop, please contact Christina Freels at 263-8522.