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).

Help us bring your voice to the forefront!

Request for Submissions

The Indiana Disability Justice Task Force ( or “IDJ”) is looking for contributors for the online Disability Justice and Violence Prevention Resource Hub!  We can compensate you for your participation. If you are selected to be published, you will receive $250!  (Please be aware this could affect benefits and services for those who have them. Please seek out guidance.)

The IDJ Task Force is always looking for:

Along with your submission as outlined below, please also include:

  • The name you’d like associated with the publication.
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Please submit questions and publications to indjsubmissions@gmail.com. Submissions will be accepted year-round on a rolling basis.  Please note that Online Hub coordinators are mostly volunteer-based, so please be patient as you wait for a response.  Once submitted, a Task Force member will confirm receipt.  Shortly after, you will receive edits or a confirmation that the submission is ready for publication along with an expected publication date.  Please be sure to confirm you are prepared for publication.  Once published, please share widely!

Credit

Publication Guidelines written by Skye Ashton Kantola, Assistant Director at Multicultural Efforts to End Sexual Assault, kantola@purdue.edu.

Webinar 12: Sexual Wellness for People with Cognitive and Developmental Disabilities as Sexual Violence Primary Prevention

Description

Contextualizing sexual wellness for people with disabilities as a strategy for SVPP across the social ecological model; Risk Factors for SV for People with Disabilities related to sexual wellness; What kinds of things does a sexual wellness instructor need to consider for program adaptation? How should we address consent?

Webinar Outline
  • 5 minutes: Housekeeping & introductions (Skye/Cierra)
  • 15 minutes: Sexual Violence Primary Prevention and Disability Justice (Skye/Cierra)
  • 40-60 minutes: Panel Conversation (Panelists)
  • 10 minutes: Attendee Questions (Skye/Cierra)
  • 5-10 minutes: Resource Recommendations (Crew)
Presenters
  • Skye Kantola (she and they, Facilitator): Program Coordinator, Multicultural Efforts to End Sexual Assault, kantola@purdu.edu
  • Cierra Olivia Thomas-Williams (she/her, Presenter): Prevention Specialist, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, cwilliams@icadvinc.org
  • Jordan Haisley (she/her, Panelist), Disability Consultant, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence
  • Dr. Mary Ciccarelli (she/her, Panelist), Professor of Clinical Medicine and Clinical Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine
  • Pam Malin (she/her, Panelist), Disability Victim Advocate (she/her, Panelist), Disability Rights Wisconsin
  • Cindy Bentley, Executive Director (she/her, Panelist), People First Wisconsin
  • Timotheus Gordon (he/him, Panelist), Research Assistant, University of Illinois – Chicago

Closed Captions & Transcript created by Skye Ashton Kantola, MESA Program Coordinator

Co-Sponsors

Gaps & Opportunities for Prevention Infrastructure

The Indiana Abuse Prevention Disability Task Force (IDJ) conducted interviews with disability serving and governmental agencies in order to understand the processes by which people with disabilities can report abuse including sexual assault (SA). There are three state divisions, Bureau of Developmental and Disability Services (BDDS), Division of Aging, and the Department of Child Services (DCS) that have processes in place for reporting, following up after incidents, and to provide for or “cover” medical and legal care. After the Task Force identified mandatory state reporting procedures, they created flow charts depicting these practices to encourage transparency across sectors.

During this collaborative effort, these three common gaps in holistic care emerged following the official reporting of the incident:

In reviewing the flow charts, IDJ learned disability service providers follow the reporting requirements set by state agencies and offer support where they can with little to no interagency collaboration. Each state division, BDDS, Division of Aging & DCS, collects incident data and enforces mandated safety standards and when sexual abuse incidents are substantiated, a criminal legal process may begin. The safety of the person receiving services is paramount as is protecting provider organizations from liability for harm that may come to the person while receiving services. Advocacy or support for a person with ID/DD through the criminal legal system and/or healing process is not guaranteed. Additionally, organizations that provide rape crisis services do not typically house people with ID/DD, especially when there are caregivers in the person’s life. 

The IDJ makes the following recommendations to increase safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments in the state of Indiana: 

Education of disability service providers, victim service providers, and the community is needed to ensure survivors with disabilities are connected to the healing services they need following an incident of violence. Education on bodily autonomy, sexual literacy, and inappropriate touch is needed for people with disabilities so they can communicate their desires and report positive or harmful experiences. 

Mandated processes ensure reports are made to the appropriate authorities to ensure safety of the survivor as well as other consumers. However, these processes can feel sterile, and confusing and sometimes made against the will of the victim or person harmed. 

Advocates remind survivors of their rights, empower survivors to choose what is right for them, and provide emotional support to survivors in challenging situations. For survivors with disabilities to benefit from advocacy, disability organizations must be informed of this role and contact them when needed, and victim service providers must be educated on the unique needs and ways to communicate with survivors with disabilities. 

The gaps discussed in this document demonstrate a lack of communication and understanding between the disability justice movement and the anti-violence movement, which we believe is the outcome of the siloing of social problems and constructing one size fits all solutions through state systems. While legal justice is attempted and pursued, prosecution and conviction rates remain low, and restorative and healing practices are ignored when they involve people with ID/DD. Instead, restorative justice is personal and responsive to the needs of the individual survivor or person harmed; it is both survivor-centered and person-first, empowering the individual who was harmed to drive the investigative and reparative processes. 

The IDJ is connecting people with and without disabilities across disciplines to identify and address the existing gaps in service provision, education, and communication across sectors and levels of prevention. We are joining the concepts of survivor-centered services from the anti-violence movement with person-first services from the disability justice movement so that survivors with disabilities are empowered to lead self-directed lives, which includes what happens following an incident of violence. 

Download Gaps Analysis PDF

Credit

Analysis and info-graphic was created by Haleigh Rigger and Micca Stewart.  Haleigh Rigger is the statewide Rape Crisis Coordinator with Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking (ICESAHT), haleigh@indianacesa.org and Micca Stewart, Bureau of Quality and Improvement Services (BQIS), Indiana Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA), micca.stewart@fssa.in.gov. Post written by  Cierra Olivia Thomas-Williams, Prevention Specialist, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV), cwilliams@icadvinc.org.