Writer / Ashley Dykton
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and it’s important to recognize a crucial member of the community that has consistently for 40 years been helping to shape a safe and strong Hamilton County.
For 40 years, Prevail has been saving lives, restoring hope and empowering survivors of trauma and abuse. During the month of October, the community is encouraged to Go Purple With Prevail and to participate in Prevail’s day of giving on October 20, which helps to raise awareness about Prevail and its work in providing free and confidential services 24/7 to survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse and assault.
Created in 1986, Prevail was established by Councilor Steve Nation and Beth Gehlhausen to tackle the critical gap in services for victims of crime and abuse in Hamilton County.
In the last 40 years, Prevail has cemented a legacy of serving over 70,000 survivors and continues to be a source of hope and resources for individuals ages 6 and older who have experienced trauma due to domestic violence or sexual abuse and assault. Prevail is one of only 16 designated Rape Crisis Centers in the state and the only organization in Hamilton County dedicated specifically to serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
“Prevail provides comprehensive, trauma-informed advocacy and support services designed to meet survivors wherever they are in their healing journey. Empowerment is a core value at Prevail and at the heart of everything we do. We believe survivors are the experts at their own lives. Survivors make the decisions about what happens next, as this is a voluntary, free and confidential participant program. Sometimes the most important first step is simply having a safe person listen and guide them through their options. We do not make decisions for them, but provide information, resources, support and advocacy they need to make informed decisions for themselves. Our work is about helping survivors regain that sense of control, someone who can believe and listen to them in their darkest moments. Empowerment means helping someone move from feeling like they have no option to understanding they do have choices, and we will stand beside them, so they do not have to navigate those choices alone,” says Tami Wanninger, the executive director of Prevail.
Prevail’s services include a 24/7 crisis line and response, individualized advocacy for survivors, safety planning, case management, system coordination, and information and referral.
Prevail provides educational programming and awareness campaigns throughout the community, including its Primary Prevention Program, which works toward preventing violence before it happens, and Healthy Relationships Education, which is a school-based program educating teens on dating in Hamilton County schools. The program educates and empowers teens to understand consent and boundaries, types of abuse, warning signs and how to get help for themselves or a friend, which last year served over 7,200 students.
Prevail helps survivors who endured abuse and trauma to become aware of their rights, navigate their options and determine their next course of action. Prevail offers assistance with securing a protective order, providing court/judicial accompaniment during a civil or criminal proceeding, connecting survivors to peer support groups and accessing different community resources.
Additional resources and support Prevail offers include housing (temporary lodging, rental or utility assistance, security deposits or other expenses), employment, career resources, financial literacy, transportation and other needs for survivors to secure safety and stability to build a future.
“Domestic and sexual violence are public health issues, and Prevail believes prevention requires environmental, social and systemic change. Prevention is not something one organization can achieve alone; it takes everyone in our community to understand their role in creating a safer and healthier Hamilton County. We know that preventing violence and supporting survivors cannot be accomplished by one organization, and it takes an entire community willing to learn, speak up, collaborate and take action. Engaging with the community is so vital in so many ways, including education, prevention, community speaking engagements, volunteers, professional trainings and participating in our awareness campaigns. Prevail works closely with community partners, including law enforcement, county leaders, other nonprofits and businesses, to help ensure survivors can access the resources they need beyond the services Prevail provides directly, and that same community continues to show up for survivors each and every day to be a part of the solution. Community truly strengthens survivors,” says Wanninger.
If you or someone you know could benefit from the resources or is in need of support from Prevail, the first step is to reach out and contact Prevail through its 24/7 crisis line or visit its office during business hours, where no appointment is necessary and Prevail’s trained professional team is there to be a crucial line of support.
Learn more about Prevail by visiting its website at prevailinc.org and this October, make a difference and help support Prevail with its fundraising community support initiatives of Go Purple With Prevail and by donating to its day of giving.
