Disability Justice and Violence Prevention Spotlight: Shelby Wade

Shelby Wade
Shelby Wade (she/her) is facing the camera and smiling and she is standing in front of a rock wall. Shelby is a white woman with long red hair and she is wearing a dark top with white designs.

What do you like to do for fun? Hobbies?

Play with my dog Clyde, play cards with my Husband, watch documentaries, and explore the Olympic National Forest which is right in my back yard!

 

What does disability justice mean to you as you practice primary prevention?

From my experience, this comes down to two things: Inclusive services and education, and dispelling myths about the autonomy and sexuality of people with disabilities.

What are some resources that you have created or that you just love that you want to share (articles, toolkits, etc.)?

Do you have a favorite prevention activity or strategy you use to achieve disability justice?

  • Education both within the community and to their counterparts. Because violence, especially gender violence, is a matter of control, ableism adds a further layer to our prevention efforts. If we do not make dismantling ableism, and other constructs of power, a core tenant of violence prevention education, we will not do justice for this community. In addition, providing comprehensive sex education to people with disabilities that incorporates components of self-advocacy and what constitutes abuse, is critically important.
  • I would also love to share a unique work group that operates as a recovery practice for all survivors of violence, but is especially empowering for survivors who are disabled. As a way to practice reclaiming control, consent, and respect, survivors work with service dogs; giving commands and watching the animals respond to their request produces a chance for survivors to reclaim their autonomy in a therapeutic environment.

Does anything about primary prevention need to change to bring disability justice to the world?

Many community-placed organizations fall into the trap of what Vu Le has called trickle-down-community-engagement. Vu Le describes this as organizations who (1) offer services because they can, not because they were asked for or needed, (2) educate and advertise their services but find that sectors of their community still choose not to engage, and (3) either do not measure their impact, or when they do, find little to no successful impact. To put it simply, “you can’t just give three drops of water to your rainbow carrots, wonder why they are not growing, and then complain about the lack of color in your salad” (Vu Le).

Earlier, I emphasized the description of these organizations as community-placed. This categorization comes from one of my professors at Harvard, Harry Harding, who discussed the difference between organizations as described above, who are simply placed in a community, versus organizations and services that are based in a community. Community-based organizations are informed by their community, intentional about services, and inclusive both within the organization and in how they discuss the issue and engage with their community. In order for sexual violence prevention to be effective within the disabled community, we must recognize that people with disabilities can make their own decisions and that they are not sexless.

Harmful myths often close the door to working with the community to educate about consent, self-advocacy, and safe sex. An example of this is demonstrated in a South Carolina middle school who invited my prior organization (shortly before I worked there) to come and give sexual violence prevention talks to their students. They had the prevention educator teach the same presentation to one grade at a time, one period after the next, the whole day. However, this disrupted the students in special education as it conflicted with their schedule. So instead of finding a different option, or tailoring the presentation to be inclusive of the learning styles of ALL students, the school had the special education class sit in on every single talk, the entire day. Not only did the school send the message to the special education students, and the rest of the school, that they were an after-thought, but they did not give the prevention educator the information and tools needed to provide a presentation that worked with all student’s needs. This event, reported to me by my organization when I came on board, made it evident how primary prevention efforts were missing the mark in serving the disabled community.

Where you practice primary prevention & disability Justice (location, organization, which levels of the SEM, typically):

I worked in primary prevention of sexual violence for three years as the Prevention and Education Coordinator for an adult crisis center in Charleston, SC. I also served for two years as the Chair of a three-county wide Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) in the low-country of South Carolina. Currently, I work for the Medical University of South Carolina’s National Crime Victim Center which is housed in their Department of Psychiatry. In my role as the Program Coordinator, I work on Project BEST, a state-wide collaborative effort to use innovative community-based dissemination, training, and implementation methods to dramatically increase the capacity of every community in South Carolina to deliver evidence-supported mental health treatments (ESTs) to every abused and traumatized child who needs them. In addition, I work in a similar capacity under a grant for the National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center’s Training and Technical Assistance division. My violence prevention and advocacy work has continued both within this work and outside it as I independently pursue research on community-based primary prevention, response, and resilience.

Are you available for consulting?

Yes! Working with diverse populations eager to learn about and collaborate on program improvement and community engagement is my passion. My area of concentration focuses on violence prevention, particularly sexual violence, and how we can create intentional, equitable, and sustainable community prevention and response strategies and services.

How can people reach you?

sctwade@gmail.com or LinkedIn, Shelby Wade. Email is preferred.

Shelby’s biography:

Shelby first worked with people with disabilities in high school as a peer support for Integrated Learning Students with a range of disabilities from various cancers; autism spectrum disorders; blind, deaf, and hard of hearing; and many others. These students helped spark her interest in working with the community. Following high school, she worked with cognitively impaired students at supplemental education centers before becoming a behavior technician at an autism services organization. During college, earning a bachelors in sociology from Sonoma State in CA, Shelby became the lead behavior technician, the community group lead, and the trainer of all new employees on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for her organization. She won awards for passion and for Interventionist of The Year. While she enjoyed the work, Shelby wanted to move on to spaces that allowed her to empower people with disabilities from a violence prevention standpoint, something she connected with through personal experiences. After moving across the country, Shelby began working at a local rape crisis center in South Carolina. There she learned where prevention work was failing the disabled community and where disability justice organizations needed support in violence prevention. During this time, she served as the chair of a three-county-wide sexual assault response team (SART) and went back to school to get her graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management from Harvard.

Shelby currently works for the National Crime Victims Center on two grants, one with Project BEST which seeks to provide evidence-based treatments to children and their families across South Carolina, and another under the National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center where she is helping communities prepare for, respond to, and build resiliency after a mass violence event. Shelby’s passion for this work continues in her free time as she continues to research prevention efforts, write papers, teach, and provide consultation. Currently, Shelby is focused on neurobiology of trauma; inclusion as it relates to community engagement in violence prevention; program improvement in sexual violence organizations; and non-acute comprehensive medical advocacy for survivors of sexual violence.

A bit about her personally… Shelby is the wife of 8 years to her amazing partner, Jacob, who is an active duty member of the US Coast Guard. She is a dog mom to a 3-year-old, rescued, blue heeler mix named Clyde who is the best good boy there is. Shelby lives in the Pacific Northwest and enjoys going on hikes, listening to records, watching documentaries, and taking bubble baths!

Shelby Wade is the author of her interview. Cierra Olivia Thomas Williams is the interviewer and posted this to IDJ. 

Vulnerability in Sexual Violence Primary Prevention

Originally published by ICADV on October 22, 2020

At some point in the last five years the phrase “vulnerable populations,” used heavily in grant announcements and research articles, has leaked into my writing and my speech, especially in professional settings. For years I introduced myself as a Preventionist who works with vulnerable people or populations to engage in sexual violence primary prevention (SVPP). Last fall I attended a presentation that left me feeling challenged by how I understood vulnerability and the way I have used it to construct a frame for the work to end sexual violence (SV) against people with disabilities.

The fact is all humans are vulnerable and all humans are exposed to varying degrees of risk for different kinds of harm throughout their lives. Vulnerable is an adjective that means easily hurt, wounded, or attacked (from the Latin verb “to wound”). In a culture that glorifies, normalizes, and capitalizes on violence it makes sense to have such language to describe people. When vulnerability becomes shorthand for the problem of historic and continuous inequity within and across systems, bias can thrive, and the connection to the problem—systems inequity for people with cognitive disabilities—is lost. Vulnerability then becomes a tool of silence integrating to the cultural scaffolding of sexual violence as an option with few consequences for people who harm.

People with cognitive and developmental disabilities experience disproportionate rates of sexual violence, but they are not inherently more vulnerable to violence victimization or perpetration than people without disabilities. Instead of seeing an individual as “vulnerable” we should look towards the disproportions or inequalities in our society that make some people more vulnerable to sexual violence and address the willingness of people who cause harm to exploit those inequities to abuse people with disabilities.

 

People with cognitive or developmental disabilities have less access to opportunities and resources across the lifespan and it is these differences that are disabling to individuals and their families. It is not the person’s identity that makes them vulnerable. The scale of exclusion from protective systems of support—like having one’s basic needs met and connectedness through a variety of human experiences across the lifespan—makes a person vulnerable to increased risk of experiencing violence or causing harm. This makes critical the need for sexual violence prevention strategies that create protective environments. 

When our prevention strategies address community or neighborhood specific risk factors, like poverty, no internet access, or inaccessible and unavailable public transportation, we create opportunities for safety, stability, and nurturance among people. This connectedness-architecture is population level infrastructure that reduces toxic stress—a precursor to violence perpetration—broadly benefitting everyone in the community. It is from within this web of social connectedness experiences that humans can and do take risks in relationships and build resilience. Resilience is a survivor’s callous, it does not prevent sexual violence or vulnerability, but social connectedness does.

Our organizations can lead with policies and practices that support human connectedness among staff, such as paid family leave, and tele-commuting post-pandemic. In day-to-day operations, addressing inequity within our prevention practices could include budgeting time, space, and dollars to create accessibility in events, on websites, and in programs; organizations can also create accessible in-person and online meeting environments. Prioritizing accessibility creates an invitation for people with disabilities to be part of and learn about the work of prevention. However, accessibility is a legal baseline and not the same as inclusion.

Building connectedness across difference requires time, trust, genuine understanding, and intentional relationship building with people with disabilities. It is harder for me as a professional primary preventionist of violence to replicate structurally supported inequitable conditions in my work if I am accountable to people with disabilities. My professional inclusion practice is in the elevating of the voices of people with disabilities in the work to end sexual violence. Because the Rape Prevention and Education grant allows consultants to be paid an equitable rate, people with disabilities are paid for their feedback and contibutions to end sexual violence. I have colleagues with disabilities who are willing to help me learn when I am using able bias and ableism in my prevention strategies and leadership practices. Recognizing and acting against bias and discriminately wielding equity is critical to ending sexual violence in Indiana.

The problem of sexual violence is not with individuals, but with how individuals and systems use power-over to maintain the status quo. I am a gatekeeper of sexual violence prevention work in Indiana and I can cause harm through my professional practices. I am a Prevention Specialist who works with leaders and decision makers in our state to address the lack of access to opportunities and resources for people with disabilities who are continually segregated, isolated, and marginalized from essential systems like transportation, employment, and education, and from critical violence prevention strategies and crisis intervention services. By addressing equity in internal organizational practices and in external partnerships, preventionists can work to change the systems that marginalize and devalue people and construct vulnerability. We can’t shorthand anti-oppression work—there is nothing short or easy about it.

Community Risk Factors for People with Disabilities
Organizational Risk Factors for People with Disabilities
Societal Risk Factors For People with Disabilities

Indiana Family and Child Services Agencies

What is this Resource? Below is a list of agencies, arranged by county, that are invaluable resources to those looking for financial, emotional, and social support for their families and children. Many resources listed are agencies specifically prepared to support children who have experienced trauma and violence.

How to Find What You Are Looking For: The fastest way to find resources relevant to you is to scroll down to the county  where you live (counties are listed in alphabetical order).  Another way to find resources is to access this list on a computer and hold down “control” and tap the letter “f” (for PC) or hold down “command” and tap the letter “f” (on Mac).  These keys will bring up a search bar and you can type any search term, such as the county or specific services.  Then click “next” in the search bar to scroll through every found matching term.

Adams County

SAFE (Supporting All Families Everyday) in Adams County

  • Mission:  SAFE in Adams County works to prevent child abuse through education and events to educate and support children and families.  
  • Services:   Educational classes for children, parents, and community; activities for families throughout the year. 
  • Location:  125 E. Monroe Street Decatur, Indiana 46733
  • Phone:  260-724-2604  
  • Email:  cthieme39@gmail.com 
  • Website:  http://www.decaturchamber.org/members/SAFE-in-Adams-County/631 

Allen County

SCAN, Inc.

  • Mission:   SCAN protects children, prepares parents, strengthens families, and educates our community to Stop Child Abuse and Neglect 
  • Services:  Home-based therapy, community and family connections development, fatherhood engagement
  • Location:  500 W. Main Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802-1406 (Serves the following counties: Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, & Whitley)
  • Phone:   (260) 421-5000 ;  (800) 752-7116  
  • FAX:  (260) 421-5003 
  • Email:   programs@scaninc.org 
  • Website:  https://www.scanfw.org/

Bartholomew County

Child Abuse Prevention Council of Bartholomew County – Family Service Inc

  • Mission:  To strengthen and enhance the well-being of individuals and families in our community
  • Services:  The Counseling Program, Caring Parents program,  In-Hospital Program, The Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Program   
  • Location: 13th Street, Suite 2540, Columbus, IN, 47201
  • Phone: (812) 372-3745
  • Fax: 812/372-5367 
  • Email:  rjones@familyservicebc.org 
  • Website:  https://www.familyservicebc.org/services.html 

Boone County

Prevent Child Abuse Boone County

Clark County

Prevent Child Abuse Clark/Floyd Counties

  • Mission:  Prevent Child Abuse Clark/Floyd Counties is dedicated to making Clark and Floyd Counties a better and safer place for Indiana’s most precious resources – our children.  
  • Services: It incorporates a broad array of services and supports organized into a coordinated network such as  mental health care and substance use treatment are available and accessible to children and youth. 
  • Location:  3000 Technology Drive New Albany, IN 47150
  • Phone:  502-821-2746 
  • Email:   acarruthers@clarkfloydcommunities.org 
  • Website: http://www.clarkfloydcommunities.org 

Crawford County

Pinwheels Partners (aka Crawford County Child Abuse Prevention Council, Inc.)

  • Service:  Public activities for children and families 
  • Location:  392 English, IN 47118
  • Email: gladysryan@hotmail.com 

Dearborn County

Prevent Child Abuse Dearborn/Ohio Counties 

  • Mission:  Prevent Child Abuse strives to bring child abuse awareness and prevention education to Dearborn and Ohio County residents, promoting healthy families through information, workshops, community events and special promotions. 
  • Services: pinwheels, awareness campaigns, counselling.
  • Location:  860 W Eads Pkwy, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025, USA 
  • Email:  suzziromines@gmail.com 
  • Website:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prevent-Child-Abuse-of-Dearborn-and-Ohio-County/181653748526012 

Decatur County

Decatur County 4 Kids Prevent Child Abuse Council, Inc.

  • Mission:  Prevent Child Abuse strives to bring child abuse awareness and prevention education to Dearborn and Ohio County residents, promoting healthy families through information, workshops, community events and special promotions. 
  • Services: pinwheels, awareness campaigns, counselling.
  • Location:  860 W Eads Pkwy, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025, USA 
  • Email:  suzziromines@gmail.com 
  • Website:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prevent-Child-Abuse-of-Dearborn-and-Ohio-County/181653748526012 

Delaware County

Prevent Child Abuse Council of Delaware County, Inc.

  • Mission:  We believe that every child deserves to be cherished and nurtured in a safe and healthy environment. 
  • Services: awareness campaigns, counselling.
  • Phone:  765-289-0409 
  • Location:  330 E. Main St. Muncie, IN 47305
  • Email: delawarecountypca@gmail.com
  • Website:  https://pcadelawarecounty.org/ 

Elkhart County

Child and Parent Services, Inc. (CAPS)

  • Mission:  CAPS’ mission is to ensure that every child lives a life free from abuse and neglect  
  • Services: CAPS accomplishes this through education, advocacy, and intervention with families and the community to support safe, stable, nurturing relationships for all children. 
  • Phone: 574-522-1998 
  • Location: 1000 West Hively Avenue Elkhart, IN 46517 
  • Email: jvandeputte@capselkhart.org
  • Website:  http://www.capselkhart.org/

Fayette County 

Every Child Matters Prevent Child Abuse Fayette County

  • Every Child Matters – PCA Fayette County has been a PCAIN Chartered Council since 2018. 
  • Services: pinwheels, awareness campaigns, counselling.
  • Location:  2508 Western Avenue, Ste E Connersville, IN 47331
  • Email:  jmccarrell@childrensbureau.org

Floyd County

Prevent Child Abuse Clark/Floyd Counties

  • Mission:  Prevent Child Abuse Clark/Floyd Counties is dedicated to making Clark and Floyd Counties a better and safer place for Indiana’s most precious resources – our children.  
  • Services: It incorporates a broad array of services and supports organized into a coordinated network such as  mental health care and substance use treatment are available and accessible to children and youth. 
  • Location:  3000 Technology Drive New Albany, IN 47150
  • Phone:  502-821-2746 
  • Email:   acarruthers@clarkfloydcommunities.org 
  • Website: http://www.clarkfloydcommunities.org 

Franklin County

Every Child Matters PCA Franklin County

  • Every Child Matters – PCA Franklin County has been a PCAIN Chartered Council since 2018. 
  • Services: pinwheels, awareness campaigns, counselling.
  • Location:  2508 Western Avenue, Ste E Connersville, IN 47331
  • Email:  jmccarrell@childrensbureau.org

Grant County  

Prevent Child Abuse Grant County

  • Mission:  Prevent Child Abuse, Grant County believes the most effective approach to reducing child abuse and neglect is to maintain a network of volunteers to work on the behalf of child abuse prevention in our community 
  • Services: pinwheels, awareness campaigns, counselling.
  • Phone: 765-251-6335 
  • Email: grantcountypca@gmail.com
  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/PCAGrantCounty

Hamilton County

Pinwheel Promises of Hamilton County

  • Mission:   Prevent Child Abuse Indiana serves as a catalyst for preventing child abuse in all its forms and thereby enhancing the quality of life for children and families in Hamilton County, Indiana. 
  • Services:   Advocate for expanded and improved programs and policies to prevent child abuse.,  Increase awareness of the problem and inform communities about solutions. 
  • Location:  15530 Herriman Blvd, Noblesville, IN 46060 
  • Phone:  317-446-2145 
  • Email: jreich@indysb.org
  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/PCAHamiltonCountyPinwheelPromises/

Hancock County

Hancock4Kids — Prevent Child Abuse Hancock County

  • Mission:    Provide positive parenting education and raise awareness of child abuse prevention through activities that teach, strengthen, empower, and assist families and the community so that children may grow up in safe and nurturing homes 
  • Services: Monthly council meetings, attend yearly events in the community to share information on prevention of child abuse, and a yearly community forum to share important educational information and services provided to our children and community.  
  • Location:   801 N. State Street Greenfield IN 46140 
  • Phone:   317-468-8525 
  • Email:  dmburklow@hotmail.com 
  • Website: http://www.pcahancockcounty.wix.com/child

Harrison County

Prevent Child Abuse Harrison County – Blue River Services

  • Mission:    To assist people in realizing maximum personal growth and development in home, work and community by providing a continuum of individualized services and supports in settings least restrictive for the needs of the individual. 
  • Services: Community training, outreach events, family assistance and food drives, as well as an annual spring event to bring more awareness to the community. 
  • Location: 1365 Old Hwy. 135  Corydon, Indiana 4711 
  • Phone:    (812) 364-1142  
  • Email:  brccdir@brsinc.org
  • Website:  https://www.brsinc.org/index.php/blue-river-services-programs/blue-river-services-children-services 

 Hendricks County   

 Prevent Child Abuse Hendricks County

  • Mission:  The mission of Prevent Child Abuse Hendricks County is to prevent child abuse and neglect by promoting positive and supportive community for our families. 
  • Services:  Events include pinwheel gardens, a proclamation and kick off with the community, a day of free community training and family fun. PCA Hendricks County provides FREE Darkness to Light trainings through the year to the community in an effort to educate and prevent child sexual abuse. 
  • Location: 1925 Crown Plaza Boulevard Plainfield, Indiana 46168
  • Phone: 317-891-4722 
  • Email:   pca@pcahendricks.org 
  • Website:  www.pcahendricks.org

Howard County

Family Service Association of Howard County, Inc.

  • Mission:   The Family Service Association (FSA) is a non-profit organization that promotes healthy families and empowers vulnerable individuals and families through education, prevention, and crisis intervention programs. 
  • Services:  Parent consulting and healing process information, community and public support activities.
  • Location: 618 S. Main Street Kokomo, IN 46901
  • Phone-765.457.9313 
  • Fax-765.868.4122 
  • Email:    barbhilton@fsahc.org 
  • Website :http://www.fsahc.org/

Huntington County  

SCAN, Inc.

  • Mission:  SCAN protects children, prepares parents, strengthens families and educates our community to Stop Child Abuse and Neglect 
  • Services:   Home-based therapy, community and family connections development, fatherhood engagement 
  • Location:  500 W. Main Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802 (Serves the following counties: Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, & Whitley)
  • Phone: 260-421-5000 ext 2223
  • Email: dszyndrowski@scaninc.org 
  • Website: www.scanfw.org

Jackson County

Caring 4 Kids Jackson County

  • Mission:  Caring 4 Kids of Jackson County is a group dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect. 
  • Services: The council works to educate the community about car seat safety as well as child abuse prevention in general. 
  • Phone: 812-524-2585 
  • Email: ccn1@cabjackson.org 
  • Website:  https://www.facebook.com/Caring4KidsJC/ 

Jay County

Prevent Child Abuse of Jay County 

  • Mission:  The Mission of the Jay County Prevent Child Abuse Council is to be the voice in Jay County for preventing child abuse in all its forms 
  • Location:  John Jay Center for Learning, 101 S Meridian St, Portland, IN 
  • Phone:  260-307-1563 
  • Email: emily.leas@meridianhs.org
  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/PCAofJayCounty/

Jennings County

Jennings County Pinwheel Alliance

  • Mission:   Continually work within a statewide organization and network that enables all sectors of the community to play a significant role in preventing child abuse and neglect. 
  • Services:  Jennings County Pinwheel Alliance shares information and child abuse/neglect prevention educational materials within our community through participation in community health fairs and public events. 
  • Location:   216 North state Street in North Vernon. 
  • Phone:  812-352-0029 
  • Email: Darragh.wilson@centerstone.org
  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/jenningcountychildabuseprevention/

Johnson County  

Prevent Child Abuse Johnson County

  • Mission:   Continually work within a statewide organization and network that enables all sectors of the community to play a significant role in preventing child abuse and neglect. 
  • Location:   520 Tracy Road, Suite 160 New Whiteland, IN 46184
  • Phone:   317-850-5355 
  • Email: rsteele@childrensbureau.org
  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/JohnsonCountyPreventChildAbuseIndiana

Knox County

Prevent Child Abuse Knox County

  • Mission:  Prevent Child Abuse Knox County is a not-for profit group aiming to bring education and prevention efforts to Knox County.  Dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, and committed to making Knox County a better, safer place for our most precious resources – our children. 
  • Location:   545 Willow Street  Vincennes, IN 47591 
  • Phone:    812-881-5762 
  • Email: knoxcountypca@gmail.com
  • Website: http://www.knoxcountypca.wix.com/online-pcaknoxcounty

LaGrange County  

SCAN, Inc.

  • Mission:   SCAN protects children, prepares parents, strengthens families and educates our community to Stop Child Abuse and Neglect 
  • Services:  Home-based therapy, community and family connections development, fatherhood engagement
  • Location:  500 W. Main Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802-1406 (Serves the following counties: Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, & Whitley)
  • Phone:   (260) 421-5000  ext 2223 
  • FAX:  (260) 421-5003 
  • Email:   dszyndrowski@scaninc.org
  • Website:  https://www.scanfw.org/

Lake County

Prevent Child Abuse Lake County

  • Mission:  Our mission is to prevent child neglect and abuse through education, increased awareness, and advocacy. 
  • Services: Prevent Child Abuse Lake County (PCALC), a chartered council of Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, is an all-volunteer board dedicated to educating our community about what we can do at a local level to prevent child abuse. The board works with other non-profit groups and agencies to further this cause through networking and information sharing. 
  • Location:  5201 Fountain Drive, Suite I, Crown Point, Indiana 46307 
  • Email: joyhemi@yahoo.com
  • Website: www.pcalc.org

Madison County

Prevent Child Abuse Madison County

  • Mission:  Prevent Child Abuse Madison County is a council of concerned citizens and nonprofits helping to educate the community on primary prevention education  
  • Location:  5201 Fountain Drive, Suite I Crown Point, Indiana 46307 
  • Phone: 765-643-8022 x22 
  • Email: hburke@childrensbureau.org
  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/Madison-County-Prevent-Child-Abuse-842163355909305

Marion County

STARS for Children of Marion County

  • Mission:  Stars for children of Marion county is the local council that supports families in taking action, addressing issues, recognizing challenges and strengthening the community.
  • Location:   5435 N Emerson Way Indianapolis, In 46225
  • Phone:  317-870-3267 ext 605 
  • Email: hwholman@childrensbureau.org
  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/PCAINMarionCounty

Miami County

Prevent Child Abuse Miami County 

  • Mission:  Children are 100% our future. Our goal is to prevent child abuse before it happens by providing resources to the community. 
  • Location:    E Main St & N Huntington St, Peru, IN 46970 
  • Phone:   765-776-1699 
  • Email: denise.brehmer@indwes.edu
  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/MiamiCountyCAP

Montgomery County

Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau

  • Mission: The Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau empowers children/youth to become responsible citizens through delinquency prevention, community education, youth advocacy, direct services and information and referral.
  • Services: Child abuse prevention services, court appointed special advocates.
  • Location: 808 W Pike St Crawfordsville, IN  47933 
  • Phone:  765-362-0694 
  • Email: admin@mcysb.org
  • Website: http://www.mcysb.org/ 

Noble County

SCAN, Inc.

  • Mission:   SCAN protects children, prepares parents, strengthens families and educates our community to Stop Child Abuse and Neglect 
  • Services:  Home-based therapy, community and family connections development, fatherhood engagement
  • Location:  500 W. Main Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802-1406 (Serves the following counties: Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, & Whitley)
  • Phone:   (260) 421-5000 ;  (800) 752-7116  
  • FAX:  (260) 421-5003 
  • Email:   programs@scaninc.org 
  • Website:  https://www.scanfw.org/

Ohio County

Prevent Child Abuse Dearborn/Ohio Counties

  • Mission:  Prevent Child Abuse strives to bring child abuse awareness and prevention education to Dearborn and Ohio County residents, promoting healthy families through information, workshops, community events and special promotions. 
  • Services: Pinwheels, awareness campaigns, counselling.
  • Location:  860 W Eads Pkwy, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025, USA 
  • Email:  suzziromines@gmail.com 
  • Website:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prevent-Child-Abuse-of-Dearborn-and-Ohio-County/181653748526012 

Parke County

Prevent Child Abuse – Parke-Vermillion

  • Mission: Prevent Child Abuse Indiana is dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, and is committed to making Indiana a better, safer place for Indiana’s most precious resources – our children. 
  • Services: Advocate for expanded and improved programs and policies to prevent child abuse, Foster a statewide network committed to child abuse prevention.
  • Location: 4600 South Springhill Junction, Terre Haute, IN 47802
  • Phone: 317-500-1169
  • Email: wcorrell@childrensbureau.org
  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/pcaparkevermillion/

Porter County

Dunebrook, Inc. (Covers LaPorte & Porter Counties)

  • Mission: Dunebrook’s mission is to help parents build healthier, happier families
  • Services: Healthy families program, Child Advocacy center, Westville Little school facilities.
  • Location: 7451 West Johnson Road Michigan City, IN 46360
  • Phone: 219-874-0007
  • Email: jcannon@dunebrook.org
  • Website: http://dunebrook.org/

Posey County

Prevent Child Abuse Posey County

  • Mission: Prevent Child Abuse Posey County is dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, and is committed to making Indiana a better, safer place for Indiana’s most precious resources – our children.
  • Services: Advocate for expanded and improved programs and policies to prevent child abuse, Foster a statewide network committed to child abuse prevention.
  • Location: Mt Vernon, IN 47620
  • Phone: 812-838-3193
  • Email: poseypca@gmail.com
  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/Prevent-Child-Abuse-Posey-County-416957475166122/

Starke County

Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, Inc. (PCA Starke County)

  • Mission: The Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (CADA) recognizes that the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault affect all socioeconomic levels of society. CADA will work toward the goal of the elimination of domestic violence and sexual assault through education and awareness, through referrals of resources to victims, through work toward a combined community response to aid victims, and through support of emergency shelters and transitional housing for victims, and through holding abusers accountable for their actions.
  • Services: CADA provides information and services to Starke County residents, shelter and services to victims of domestic abuse, rape, and sexual assault in Starke, Porter, and Lake counties. An advocate works in Starke County to assist the victims. CADA seeks to promote awareness and education about domestic and family abuse to victims of abuse and to the public as well.
  • Phone: 574-772-3331
  • Email: cada@embarqmail.com
  • Website:  http://www.starkecountycada.org/index.php/prevent-child-abuse/

Steuben County

SCAN, Inc.

  • Mission:   SCAN protects children, prepares parents, strengthens families and educates our community to Stop Child Abuse and Neglect 
  • Services:  Home-based therapy, community and family connections development, fatherhood engagement
  • Location:  500 W. Main Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802-1406 (Serves the following counties: Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, & Whitley)
  • Phone:   (260) 421-5000 ;  (800) 752-7116  
  • FAX:  (260) 421-5003 
  • Email:   programs@scaninc.org 
  • Website:  https://www.scanfw.org/

Tippecanoe County

Tippecanoe Child Abuse Prevention Council (T-CAP)

  • Mission: The mission of Tippecanoe Child Abuse Prevention Council is to positively impact the prevention of child abuse through education and awareness, while enhancing the quality of life for families in Tippecanoe County.  We strive to educate the community as well as provide fun activities to promote healthy family relationships.  In addition to April’s events, we also host events in the summer and fall
  • Services: Advocate services, Education services, Building coalitions
  • Phone: 765-423-7028
  • Email:   tippchildabuseprevention@hotmail.com
  • Website:  www.tippecanoechildabuse.org

Vanderburgh County

Prevent Child Abuse of Vanderburgh County

  • Mission: To be the voice in Vanderburgh County for preventing child abuse in all of its forms.
  • Services: Resources and advocacy services about all forms of child abuse in our community.
  • Phone:  812-483-8474
  • Email:  jldillingh@usi.edu

Vigo County

Vigo County HOPE (Hands for Outreach, Prevention & Education)

  • Mission: to provide outreach and education to aid in the prevention of child abuse and neglect throughout all of Vigo County.
  • Services: Outreach, prevention and educational services.
  • Location: 4600 South Springhill Jct Terre Haute, IN 47802
  • Phone:  812-500-1169
  • Email:  wcorrell@childrensbureau.org
  • Website:  https://vigocountyhope.wixsite.com/home

Wayne County

Wayne County Kids First (Prevent Child Abuse Wayne County)

  • Mission: Through forensic interviews, advocacy, and education, JACY House will create an environment for children and families that is child-centered and trauma-informed, so that healing can begin.
  • Services: Forensic interviews, advocacy, and education, caregiver support group
  • Location: 2508 Western Avenue, Ste E Connersville, IN 47331
  • Phone: 765-827-2045
  • Email:  jmccarrell@childrensbureau.org
  • Website:  www.jacyhouse.org

Wells  and Whitley County

SCAN, Inc.

  • Mission:   SCAN protects children, prepares parents, strengthens families and educates our community to Stop Child Abuse and Neglect 
  • Services:  Home-based therapy, community and family connections development, fatherhood engagement
  • Location:  500 W. Main Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802-1406 (Serves the following counties: Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, & Whitley)
  • Phone:   (260) 421-5000 ;  (800) 752-7116  
  • FAX:  (260) 421-5003 
  • Email:   dszyndrowski@scaninc.org
  • Website:  https://www.scanfw.org/

Credit

Resources compiled & post written by Reshma Rawlani, Graduate Student Worker at Multicultural Efforts to End Sexual Assault. Post edited by Skye Ashton Kantola, Assistant Director at Multicultural Efforts to End Sexual Assault (MESA).

Indiana Campus Sexual Violence Resources By County and Institution

Welcome to the Indiana Disability Justice Task Force’s statewide college and university sexual violence resource list!  This list includes a list of sexual violence crisis/intervention resources hosted on Indiana college or university campuses. Note that “Title IX” (pronounced “title nine”) refers to a federal law passed in 1972 which states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” Legal interpretations of this federal law have outlined that every educational institution which receives federal money (the vast majority of them) is required to have a Title IX office. Title IX offices review allegations of sex and gender-based discrimination, including instances of interpersonal violence generally and sexual violence specifically. For this reason, most campus’ Title IX Office is the place to go for information and resources related to sexual assault or intimate partner violence. Resources are listed by county.  If you have additional Indiana resources that we are missing or want to provide corrections to the information provided here, please email your comments to InDisabilityJustice@gmail.com.

Allen County

Indiana Institute of Technology – Wellness Clinic

  • Mission:  Indiana Tech takes pride and the utmost responsibility in the safety of our students and campus community. To help keep everyone safe, the following measures have been implemented. 
  • Service:   Primary counseling resource for students. Staffed by a licensed mental health counselor through Parkview and Nurse Practitioner 
  • Location:  1600 E. Washington Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46803   
  • Email:  counseling@indianatech.edu 

Indiana State University – Title IX

  • Mission:  Indiana State University (ISU) is committed to fostering an educational environment free from discrimination, gender based harassment, and sexual harassment, including sexual misconduct, intimate partner violence, and stalkin 
  • Title IX Coordinator:    Stephannie Gambill  
  • Location:   Indiana State University Rankin Hall, Room 426
  • Title IX Coordinator contact:   (812) 237-8954 
  • Email:  ISU-equalopportunity-titleIX@mail.indstate.edu
  • Website:  https://www.indstate.edu/equalopportunity-titleix/titleix 

 Indiana State University – UAP Clinic – ISU Health Center

Purdue University Fort Wayne – Health and Wellness Clinic

Purdue University Fort Wayne – Title IX Coordinator

  • Mission: Title IX helps to foster safe and respectful University environments that better protect students, faculty and staff from incidents of sex-based discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual violence, relationship violence and abuse
  • Title IX co-ordinator: Christine M. Marcuccilli
  • Location: Kettler Hall, Room 110P 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499
  • Phone: (260) 481-6109
  • Email: marcuccc@ipfw.edu

Delaware County

Ball State University Title IX

  • Type: Campus Sexual Assault Resource Center 
  • Mission:   Ball State University is committed to assisting students in providing safety and security.
  • Services: resources available for educating employees and students on the definition, nature, evidence and consequences of sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual violence 
  • Location:  Administration Building (AD) Muncie, IN 47306 
  • TITLE IX Coordinator: Katie Slabaugh 
  • Phone: 765-285-1545 
  • Email:  kslabaugh@bsu.edu 
  • Website:    https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/associate-dean-of-students/title-ix 

Ball State University Office of Victim Services  

  • Mission: The Office of Victim Services (OVS) exists to give Ball State Students inclusive, survivor centered support, through confidential advocacy 
  • Location: 1500 W. Neely Health Center, Room 205 Muncie, IN 47306
  • Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Phone: 765-285-7844
  • Crisis hotline(24-hour/confidential): 765-288-HELP 
  • Fax: 765-285-9063 
  • Email: ovs@bsu.edu
  • Website:  https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/victimservices 

Student Health Center

  • Mission is to aid the diverse community at Ball State University in achieving physical and mental well being by offering quality acute healthcare, preventative screenings and patient education.  
  • Location: 1500 W. Neely Avenue Muncie, Indiana 47306
  • Phone: 765-285-8431
  • Fax: 765-285-1103 
  • Email: healthcenter@bsu.edu
  • Website:  https://www.bsu.edu/campuslife/healthcenter 

Elkhart County

Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary Title IX

  • Type: Campus Sexual Assault Resource Center
  • Mission:   committed to assisting all members of the AMBS community in providing for their own safety and security. 
  • Services: resources available for educating employees and students on the definition, nature, evidence and consequences of sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual violence 
  • Location: 3003 Benham Ave, Elkhart, IN, 46517 
  • TITLE IX Coordinator:  Daniel Grimes  
  • Phone:   574-296-6266 
  • Email:   dbgrimes@ambs.edu 
  • Website:    https://www.ambs.edu/ 

Goshen College – Campus resource

  • Mission: Goshen College also offers a confidential support group, the Survivor Support Network, that meets weekly in the evenings for discussion, self-care, and support. 
  • Services: Immediate safety and support, so reaching out to any Goshen College employee, including a resident assistant or club leader, can connect you to the help you need. 
  • Location:  1700 South Main Street Goshen, Indiana 46526 
  • Phone:  (574) 535-7000 
  • Email:  ssn@goshen.edu
  • Website:  https://www.goshen.edu/sexual-assault/support-and-resources/ 

Goshen College – Title IX

  • Mission: The purposes of this policy include Prohibiting all forms of sexual misconduct, Providing options for addressing and resolving complaints of sexual misconduct. 
  • Title IX Coordinator:   Beth Martin Birky 
  • Location:  Administration Building Room 13 
  • Title IX Coordinator contact:  (574) 535-7465 
  • Email:  bethmb@goshen.edu
  • Website:   https://www.goshen.edu/sexual-assault/title-ix/ 

Flyod County

Indiana University – Southeast – Center for Women and Families

Grant County

Indiana Wesleyan University – Title IX

  • Mission:  IWU has a Title IX Coordinator and a team of Deputy Title IX Coordinators to ensure compliance with the legislation, investigate complaints of harassment, discrimination, and other sex-based complaints from students, staff, and faculty.
  • Title IX coordinator:  NEIL RUSH
  • Location: Maxwell Center for Business & Leadership, Suite 212
  • Phone: 765.677.2175
  • Email: neil.rush@indwes.edu

Jefferson County 

Hanover Title IX

  • Mission:  The mission of Hanover College is to educate the whole person in a context that fosters the development of humane values. Hanover College expects that all members of the college community will conduct themselves in a responsible manner that shows respect for others and for the community at large. As a part of the larger community, Hanover College is subject to, abides by, and supports federal statutes, Indiana state statues and local ordinances regarding criminal conduct. 
  • Title IX coordinator:   Casey Heckler 
  • Location: 484 Ball Dr, Hanover, IN 47243 –  Brown Campus Center 214 
  • Phone:  812-866-6740 
  • Email:  heckler@hanover.edu

Johnson County

Franklin College Counseling Center: 

Franklin College Campus Minister: 

Franklin College Title IX

  • Title IX coordinator:  June Henderson 
  • Location:  Franklin College Office of Human Resources, 101 Branigin Blvd., Franklin, IN 46131 
  • Phone: 317.738.8028 
  • Email:  jhenderson@franklincollege.edu  

Joseph county

Bethel University Title IX

 Huntington County 

Huntington University – Title IX

  • Mission: Huntington University is deeply committed to providing a safe academic, working and living environment for its students, faculty and staff
  • Location:  2303 College Avenue,Huntington, IN 46750
  • Title IX coordinator : Ron Coffey
  • Phone:   (260) 359-4029 
  • Email: rcoffey@huntington.edu

Howard County

 Indiana University Kokomo – Campus health center

  • Mission: Indiana University is committed to leading the fight against sexual violence. We encourage you to get involved, learn more about policies and resources, and find the support you need. Together we can end violence on our campuses. 
  • Services:  Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS),  Appointments are available on campus with the Mental Health Counselor.  
  • Location:   2300 S Washington St, Kokomo, IN 46902 
  • Phone:   765-455-9364 
  • Website : http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/help-report/iuk/index.html

Lake County

Indiana University Northwest – Title IX

Purdue  University – Hammond – Student Health Service Center

  • Services:  Medical services; Adolescent medicine, Chronic disease management, reproductive/sexual health, Routine lab tests and screenings, Benefit assistance, Pharmacy service
  • Location: Regional Health Clinic (former Riley Child Center), 2250 173rd Street, Hammond, IN, 46320
  • Phone: 219-769-4005 (¡Se habla Español!)
  • Website: regionalhealthclinic.org

Marshall County

Ancilla College Title IX

  • Type: Campus Sexual Assault Resource Center 
  • Mission:  Ancilla College is committed to providing a safe environment for all. As such, sex discrimination and sexual misconduct are not .
  • Services: resources available for educating employees and students on the definition, nature, evidence and consequences of sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual violence 
  • Location:  9601 S. Union Road, Plymouth, IN 46563 
  • Title IX Coordinator:   Scott P. Horch-Residence Life  
  • Phone:  (574) 936–8898 | (866) 262–4552 ext 347 
  • Website:   https://www.ancilla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/7-12-17-TitleIX-Brochure.pdf 

Additionally, anonymous reports can be made by victims and/or third parties using the online reporting form at anderson.edu/hr/misconduct

Marion County

Indiana University Purdue University – Indianapolis- IU Health CenterSexual Assault Crisis Service

  • Mission: The Sexual Assault Crisis Service (SACS) team is here to help any member of the IU community who has experienced an assault. SACS is a special part of CAPS and is staffed by counselors who specialize in working with those who have withstood sexual violence 
  • Services:  crisis consultation, individual and group counseling, and assistance with referrals for medical care. 
  • Location:  4719 Indiana Avenue, Walker Plaza 220.
  • Phone:  317-274-2548
  • 24-hour crisis line: (812) 855-8900 
  • Website:  https://healthcenter.indiana.edu/counseling/Sexual-Assault-Crisis-Service.shtml

Sexual Assault Prevention, Intervention and Response Task Force.

  • Services: Counseling and Psychological Services
  • Locations: Coleman Hall, room 100  and Campus Center Walker Plaza 220, suite 213- 
  • Phone: 317-274-5715
  • Email:  saadv@iupui.edu
  • Website: https://sapir.iupui.edu/

 Butler University Title IX

  • Services: The University offers services and external resources, some of which may be accessed 24 hours a day, so that a student may choose what she or he would find most helpful and healing. 
  • Location:  4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208 
  • Title IX coordinator : Sahrah Diaz
  • Phone:  800-368-6852 
  • Email: sbarnes@butler.edu

DeVry University–Indiana Title IX

  • Title IX Coordinator:  Paul Herbst  
  • Location on campus: ADA/504 Coordinator 
  • Phone: 630-960-8019 
  • Email: TitleIX@devry.edu   

Marian University Title IX

Monroe County

Indiana University – Bloomington – IU Health CenterSexual Assault Crisis Service

  • Mission: The Sexual Assault Crisis Service (SACS) team is here to help any member of the IU community who has experienced an assault. SACS is a special part of CAPS and is staffed by counselors who specialize in working with those who have withstood sexual violence 
  • Services:  crisis consultation, individual and group counseling, and assistance with referrals for medical care. 
  • Location:  Sexual Assault Crisis Services, CAPS (for students) ,IU Health Center 4th floor
  • Phone:  (812) 855-5711 
  • 24-hour crisis line: (812) 855-8900 
  • Website:  https://healthcenter.indiana.edu/counseling/Sexual-Assault-Crisis-Service.shtml 

Putnam County

DePauw University –   Health Wellness Center

  • Mission:  DePauw University seeks to keep all students, faculty and staff informed of the resources available to them to help prevent, report and respond to incidents of sexual misconduct. 
  • Services: Individual counselling, crisis assessment, therapist assisted online treatment
  • Location: 800 S. Locust Street Hogate Hall Greencastle, IN 46135
  • Phone: (765) 658-4268
  • Fax: (765) 658-4554 

DePauw University  – Title IX

  • Title IX coordinator:  Renee Madison  
  • Location: 313 S. Locust St. Greencastle, IN 46135-1736 
  • Phone: 765-658-4914  
  • Email: reneemadison@depauw.edu

Porter County 

Valparaiso University – Counselling Center- SAAFE Center

  • Mission:  Our mission in the SAAFE Office is to be a support system for the individual and to inform and advise them through the process of healing. 
  • Services:  The SAAFE Office provides advocacy services to individuals (male and female) who are survivors of sexual assault 
  • Location:  lumni Hall –  Counseling Center (CC)  1602 LaPorte Ave.Valparaiso, IN 46383
  • Phone: 219.464.6860
  • Fax: 219.464.6865
  • Crisis Line: 219.464.6789
  • Email: SAAFE.office@valpo.edu 
  • Website:  https://www.valpo.edu/counseling-services/sexual-assault-awareness-facilitative-education/  

Richmond County

Earlham College – Title IX

  • Title IX coordinator:   Stephanie A. Bishop 
  • Location:  Carpenter Hall, West Basement, Suite 005,  Earlham College 801 National Road West Richmond, Indiana 
  • Phone:  765-983-1628 
  • Email:  bishost@earlham.edu 

Earlham College –  Confidential Resources for Survivors of Sexual Violence

  • Mission:  Earlham College will respond to and investigate all reports of sex/gender harassment, discrimination and misconduct both in Richmond and in off-campus programs (subject to the laws and policies of particular countries and host institutions), and will report crimes to local law enforcement consistent with the wishes of the victim and in compliance with the law. 
  • Services: Individual counselling, crisis assessment, therapist assisted online treatment
  • Location:  https://www.uburst.com/cgi-bin/ureserve/hosted/earlham.pl 
  • Phone:   765-983-1432
  • Email:   sanfoje@earlham.edu 

St Joseph County

Indiana University South Bend – Health and Wellness center

University of Notre Dame  – Counselling center

  • Mission: The University Counseling Center’s goal is to assist students in meeting the challenges that are an integral part of their Notre Dame experience 
  • Services:  variety of crisis services, including walk-in crisis services during business hours, after-hours helpline and urgent crisis services via telephone after hours, sexual assault resources, Warm Line, a non-emergency consultation service, and other services. 
  • Location:   University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN 46556.  The University Counseling Center is located on the third floor of Saint Liam Hall. Saint Liam Hall is located next to Stanford and Keenan Halls. 
  • Phone: 574-631-7336
  • Fax: 574-631-5643  
  • Website:  https://ucc.nd.edu/ 

Tippecanoe county

Purdue University – Center for Advocacy, Response, and Education (CARE) 

  • Mission: The Center for Advocacy, Response, and Education (CARE) in the Office of the Dean of Students provides support and advocacy services to students who have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking incidents. 
  • Services: Advocacy and support, Work and Housing accommodations.
  • Location: Duhme Hall, Room 143, West Lafayette, IN 47906
  • Phone: 765-495-2273
  • Email: care@purdue.edu

Credit

Resources compiled and post written by Skye Ashton Kantola, Assistant Director at the Multicultural Efforts to End Sexual Assault, kantola@purdue.edu.