New Directions - The Domestic Abuse Shelter and Rape Crisis Center Of Knox County

Programs: Resident care:new directions offers safe housing to adults and children fleeing domestic violence. The shelter can accommodate up to two families or eight individuals. Residents are permitted to stay up to 30 days, though this may be extended if the resident is working towards their goals.

education: delta focus: this program promotes healthy relationships and works to prevent intimate partner and sexual violence. The delta committee is a collaboration of county community members who plan and implement prevention trainings targeted towards businesses and coaches. The teen advocacy council are high school students who serve as ambassadors in their schools. School/community programs: for students in preschool through grade twelve, new directions offers multiple curriculums that address assault prevention.

other program services: hotline: new directions operates a 24-hour hotline to respond to crisis calls from victims of domestic, intimate partner and sexual violence. During the calls, staff provides crisis intervention as well as information-including referral resources where applicable. Sexual violence advocacy: rape crisis services are available following a sexual assault as well as for incidents that occurred in the past including hospital, attorney and court accompaniment, individual advocacy, and a support group. Prevention education is also offered at the local colleges and universities. Domestic and intimate partner advocacy: new directions meets with victims, individually and in groups, to address safety planning, healthy relationships and information resources. Court advocacy: new directions meets with victims, when the offender is being criminally arraigned, to advise them of their right to request a temporary protection order. New directions continues to support victims through the case, attending future court dates if requested. New directions also works with victims who request a civil protection order, including helping them obtain legal representation.