Advocacy
You are not alone.
Prevail meets survivors where they are in their own process of healing. We are here to support you, build on your strengths, and meet your specific needs. Our services are free and confidential.
What is an advocate?
Just as every person, situation, and story is unique, there is no one path that fits everyone. Advocates know it can feel scary, but believe in you. They care about your safety. Advocates understand the impact of trauma. This means that they listen, are empathetic, and are focused on empowering you. They can meet with you one-on-one or simply talk over the phone.
Prevail strives to empower victims of crime and abuse on their path to healing while engaging the community to support safe, healthy relationships.
Confidentiality is important. Advocates are clear about what they can keep private and what they are required to report. Advocates can help you to navigate the systems and people you might be involved with like: the prosecutor, police, Department of Child Services, school officials, court, etc. Advocates can link you to other supports like mental health, housing, food, legal, transportation, and more. When you decide on your next steps, you won’t be alone.
When trauma happens, it impacts the whole family. Advocates work with children who have experienced or witnessed family violence and loved ones who are impacted as well.
Advocacy Includes:
- One-on-one appointments
- Courtroom support
- Assistance with filing protection orders
- Safety Planning
- Navigating the legal system
- Navigating the hospital procedures
- Education about victims’ rights
Advocates can provide you resources about therapists and lawyers in the area that may be able to support you. They are not therapists, counselors, psychologists, or lawyers. They cannot diagnose mental health conditions or provide medications. Advocates cannot provide legal counsel or recommendations.
Crisis Response
Prevail is here for you when you need us.
Prevail’s 24-Hour Crisis Line is available to our community all year round with no exceptions. An advocate can even meet with victims at the hospital or on the scene with law enforcement. You can also request that a Prevail advocate be contacted by a nurse or by police.
An advocate can help with safety planning and connect you to additional resources in the community.
24-Hour Crisis Line
Additional Resources
Human Trafficking Hotline
- Call: 888-373-7888
- Text: BeFree (233733) (Text “HELP” or “INFO”)
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
- 24/7 Online Chat: https://rainn.org/
- Call: 800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Website: https://www.thehotline.org/
- Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Text: “Start” to 88788
To Report Abuse & Neglect of Adults
- Call: 800-992-6978
- Report Online: https://aps-govcloud.my.site.com/APSOnlineReport/s/
Neighborhood Christian Legal Services – free Legal Services and Education for those who can’t afford them
- Website: https://www.nclegalclinic.org/
Indiana-Specific Resources
Indiana SAVIN: Statewide Automation Victim Information and Notification
Indiana Legal Services – provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income residents throughout the state of Indiana.
Civil & Criminal Information
My Case-Indiana Judicial Branch Information
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Call: 988
- Website: https://988indiana.org/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Call: 800-273-8255 (TALK)
- Crisis Text Line: Text IN to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis counseling
Aspire Crisis Line
- 24/7 Crisis Support: 800-560-4038 or 317-574-1252
- Website: https://www.aspireindiana.org/behavioral-health/crisis-services
Department of Child Services
- Call: 1-800-800-5556
Hamilton County Trustees Office
- Website: https://www.hctaindiana.com/
Hospital Response
Hospitals are overwhelming. We can be there with you.
Prevail has trained advocates who provide one-on-one support to victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and rape who need to be examined at a hospital. There is an advocate on call 24/7 who can meet you at the hospital.
Advocates provide emotional support during forensic exams as well as information and resources about follow-up services. They can also assist victims with applications to Indiana Criminal Justice Institute’s Violent Crime Compensation Fund for reimbursement of medical costs associated with the crime committed against them.
Your primary care doctor can also help link you to a trained and specialized provider.
Police Response
We are here to help you work with law enforcement.
A Prevail advocate can be available on scene with law enforcement present. You or the officer can call Prevail’s 24 Hour Crisis Line to request an advocate be present for support and information.
In order to fully support victims in crisis, Prevail partners with law enforcement to bring evidence based practices and trauma-informed care into our community.
We collaborate on the implementation and procedure of the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP), provide agencies access to certified Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) training and roll call training.