Services

The Lighthouse Services for Victims of Domestic Violence 

24 Hour Safe Shelter We offer shelter twenty-four hours a day, every day, to women who are in danger and their children. The Lighthouse Shelter is a refuge for women and their children when their lives are threatened by abuse and family violence.

 24 hour Crisis Line A twenty-four hour crisis line is available to the community, to all persons involved in family violence or elder abuse. Counseling, information and referrals will be provided by staff 24 hours a day. 

Individual Counseling is provided to women staying in shelter and made available to victims of domestic violence not residing in shelter. Women staying in shelter receive individual counseling by staff members and work with the counselors to develop an individualized service plan. Counseling may include needs assessment, vocational and educational counseling, self-esteem and issues related to domestic violence and abuse, education about domestic violence and the cycle of abuse, personal growth counseling, information and referral to existing community resources and referrals to other professional counselors for long-term counseling. 

 For women who are not staying in shelter an individualized service plan may be developed by the Counselor Coordinator and the client that may include assessment of needs, educational and vocational counseling, self-esteem and issues related to domestic violence and the cycle of abuse, information and referral to existing community resources, and referrals to other professional counselors for long term counseling.

A handbook on legal information for victims of domestic violence is made available to both residents of shelter and clients that are not staying in the shelter.

Support Group The Lighthouse sponsors a weekly support group for survivors of domestic violence. Please call The Lighthouse to make arrangements with the Counselor Coordinator to attend support group.

Victim Advocacy Our Victim Advocates can accompany victims to court, provide information about the legal process, provide support, and offer counseling information and referral. The judicial process can often be frustrating and confusing. If you have been subpoenaed to court or if you are interested in your legal options, please contact the Lighthouse at (334) 947-6197 to access court advocacy service.

Children's individual and Group Counseling: The Lighthouse Children's Program Coordinator provides individual and group counseling sessions with children who reside in the shelter. 

Children's Educational Group:  For mothers who attend the support group, child care is provided. Child care during Support Group includes an Educational Group. Some of the topics covered in the Educational Group for the children are anger management, family violence, and conflict resolution. Snacks are provided for the children.

Services to Adult Males The Lighthouse domestic violence program offers counseling to male victims of domestic violence, support, referrals, and shelter at an alternate location when needed.

Services to Perpetrators The Lighthouse can refer perpetrators to existing community programs for voluntary or court ordered treatment.

Community Education Training The Lighthouse offers training to community agencies, such as the Department of Human Resources, law enforcement personnel, hospital staff, lawyers, ministers, private and agency counselors, and school systems. Training will be provided upon request. Training will consist of information regarding the dynamics of family violence, including detection and effective treatment plans, Lighthouse residential services, other Lighthouse programs and procedures for making referrals.

Domestic Violence Speakers Bureau, A speakers bureau is available to service organizations, civic clubs, churches, classes and professional groups for the purpose of furthering public education and awareness of family violence and services available in the community.

Children's School Programs

Elementary School: A puppet show to educate children on ways to stay safe in a violent home is offered to Elementary School students. Along with the puppet show the presenters will cover anger management and safety planning. An in-service is offered for the teachers prior to the puppet show to provide them with valuable information about children living in violent homes, how to talk with children in distress, and signs to look for that may indicate a troubled home.

High School: The program for High School students addresses date rape and dating violence providing the students with information about what they are, how to recognize warning signs, safety tips, and what a healthy relationship Is.

Interested teachers can call The Lighthouse to schedule a school program.

The Lighthouse Services for Victims of Sexual Assault

The Lighthouse Sexual Assault Program provides services to victims 18 and over that have been sexually assaulted.

24 Hour Crisis Line The Lighthouse provides a 24 hour crisis line to all adult rape and sexual assault victims and their families.

24 Hour Rape Crisis Response The Lighthouse Sexual Assault Program maintains a team of Trained Volunteer Sexual Assault Response Counselors that will accompany victims of sexual assault and/or their family members at the hospital or police department to provide support, information, and referrals.

Individual counseling is available to sexual assault victims. The victim and counselor will develop an individualized service plan to meet the client's needs. This plan may include assessment of needs, information, referral to existing community resources and referrals to other professional counselors for long-term counseling, court advocacy, and assistance with victim compensation application.

Support Group and Group Counseling are made available to the community as needed. Please contact the Lighthouse Sexual Assault program at 334.947.4393 to inquire about support groups.

Victim Advocacy Victim advocacy services are available to offer support and assistance throughout the investigation, criminal justice process, and recovery period.

Training The Lighthouse Sexual Assault program provides training to staff of community agencies, such as the Department of Human Resources, law enforcement personnel, hospital staff, lawyers, ministers, private and agency counselors, and school systems. Training will consist of information regarding the dynamics of sexual assault, drug assisted rape, other Lighthouse programs, and procedures for making referrals.

Sexual Assault Speakers Bureau, a Speakers Bureau is available for community educational programs to service organizations, civic clubs, churches, classes and professional groups for the purpose of furthering public education and awareness of sexual assault and services that are available in our community.