If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

YWCA Greater Lafayette is here to empower you to make a new beginning. A first step can be our emergency shelter. We offer a 24/7 safe and confidential shelter with continuous case management to help you with employment, housing, financial resources, childcare, counseling and other services.

If you are in need of emergency shelter, please call us at 765-423-1118 or toll free at 888-345-1118 to speak to an advocate.

Click here to take a tour of our shelter.

As of April 2023 YWCA Greater Lafayette has been officially designated as a Rape Crisis Center by the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault (ICESA). As the only rape crisis center in western central Indiana, YWCA creates an environment in which survivors feel safe and empowered, and reduce the trauma experienced by survivors. Trained advocates help survivors provide compassionate support at any point during a survivor’s healing journey.

The victim-centered, trauma-informed and culturally competent services provided by Rape Crisis Centers include:

• 24-Hour Crisis Hotline
• Hospital/Medical Advocacy
• Criminal Justice Advocacy
• Community Awareness and Outreach
• Prevention Education
• Refer Professional Counseling/Therapy
• Support Groups

Service Standards

ICESA identified Rape Crisis Centers adhere to service standards developed by the coalition. Service standards are important to ensure that every sexual assault survivor receives excellent advocacy and support.

In addition to the Service Standards, ICESA works in partnership with the Rape Crisis Centers to ensure that policies, practices and services are in place by following the Rape Crisis Center Standards Checklist.

Please call our Helpline at 765-423-1118 or toll free at 888-345-1118 to speak to an advocate.

Human traffickers utilize force, fraud, or coercion to exploit the labor, services, or commercial sex acts of their victims. The $150 billion dollar industry occurs around the world and affects individuals across every socio-economic background, age-range, gender, and ethnicity.

Because of language barriers and/or fear of their traffickers and law enforcement, many of the millions of victims of human trafficking don’t seek help, making this a hidden crime. Knowing the different forms of trafficking is a first step in preventing and ending human trafficking in our communities.

Sex Trafficking

harbors, entices, recruits, or transports another individual through force, threat of force, fraud, or coercion with the intent of causing that individual to marry another person, engage in prostitution, or participate in sexual conduct.

Under Federal and Indiana Statute, any individual under the age of 18 who engages in commercial sex (the exchange of a sexual service for something of value) is a victim of sex trafficking. Force, fraud, or coercion need not be proven.

Labor Trafficking

harbors, recruits, provides, obtains, or transports an individual through force, threat of force, coercion, or fraud to engage the individual in labor or services.

Forced Marriage

harbors, entices recruits, or transports another individual through force, threat of force, fraud, or coercion with the intent of causing that individual to marry another person.

Know what to look for.

According to the National Human Trafficking Statistics Report, the top five risk factors for human trafficking in the U.S. are:

• Recent migration/relocation
• Substance use
• Runaway/homeless youth
• Mental health concerns
• Involvement in the child welfare system

Additional Risk Factors

• Individuals experiencing poverty an/or homelessness
• Person or family history of abuse/neglect/substance abuse
• Personal or family history of untreated mental health issues
• Isolated/Marginalized populations
• Domestic Workers and Sex Industry Workers
• Migrant/Seasonal Workers/ Workers with temporary work visas
• Recently Resettled Refugees/Individuals recruited from camps
• Undocumented workers & other unauthorized workers (e.g. visitor or student visa)
• Workers who work in hazardous/ dangerous industries
• Individuals whose families depend on their remittances to survive
• Individuals from countries experiencing civil war or state-sanctioned violence

You are not alone.

If you are dealing with harassment, stalking or domestic violence, we are here to help you take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your family through the legal system. Obtaining a protective order is an important first step. The legal system can be complicated and overwhelming, so we are committed to providing services to help you get what you need to stay safe. We can help with protective orders, attending hearings and appointments, Indiana Hope Cards, and more.

How we help

Call our office at 765-423-1118 or visit us in person at 624 N. 6th St. to learn more about:

• Attorney referrals
• Emotional support during proceedings and appointments
• Help with the process of filing a protective order
• Placing calls on your behalf to counselors, attorneys, the prosecutor’s office, and police

You are not alone. Our advocates are here to help you fill out and file a civil protective order. Call 765-423-1118 to set up an appointment. The program at YWCA Greater Lafayette is here to keep you safe, including helping you to make a safety plan and working with community partners to obtain additional resources.

First Step: Consider Your Options

Take action in a way that is safest for you.

If you find yourself in a situation of control, intimidation, or financial/emotional/physical harm, and the person threatening you is an intimate partner, someone you have dated, or someone you have been related to in some capacity, you can seek support from our advocates to explore what steps feel right for your situation.

You may be able to obtain a protective order without first filing a police report. Requirements can vary, and an advocate can help you understand what documentation or evidence may strengthen your request.

You may be able to get a stalking protective order if the person harassing or threatening you is someone you briefly dated or someone who has bothered you on three or more instances. Stalking covers areas such as telephone calls, text messaging, emails and in-person contacts, Facebook messaging, Twitter, and other social media. In certain circumstances, your children also can be covered by the protective order if you can show a clear threat to their safety.

A Protective Order is a Legal Document

Use your words to send a clear message. Keep in mind what is written in your petition becomes a court record and the person you are filing against will receive a copy. Protective orders can be very effective in sending a clear message to someone that the legal system will step in if they continue to harass or threaten.

A protective order can also:

• Help you get your belongings back.
• Establish a temporary parent time visitation schedule.
• Help in working with a landlord on a safety plan.
• Ensure your employer that you have taken all the necessary steps for your safety.

Indiana Hope Card

The Indiana Hope Card Program allows anyone with a valid, long-term (12 months or more) order of protection for domestic violence, stalking, and/or sexual assault to request a card that summarizes an order’s most important details.

This purpose of this card is to provide law enforcement with critical information in the case of a potential violation of the order.

The Hope Card is a laminated card similar in size and shape to a credit card. The program and card are free of charge to petitioners.

A Hope Card is not a substitute for a protective order. It is simply a more durable and portable means of proving pertinent information about an existing protective order.

If you have a protective order that covers you for one year or longer and would like a Hope Card, please contact Nohemí Lugo, at 765-423-7015.

Si necesita asistencia en español por favor hable con nuestra asesora hispana, Nohemí Lugo, al 765-423-7015.

Violence Prevention Education is a key pillar of YWCA’s Domestic Violence Intervention & Prevention Program (DVIPP). In order to break the cycle of violence we must educate the community on what healthy relationships look like, how to identify the warning signs of intimate partner violence and child abuse, how to provide support and to victims and survivors, and what to do if you suspect someone is experiencing domestic violence. As a community, we can work together to build safe neighborhoods, homes and schools.

Trainings and presentations are available for your workplace, classrooms or community groups. View the available topics and online resources below. To schedule a presentation or training, or if you would like more information about a violence prevention topic not listed here, please contact communications@ywcalafayette.org to discuss the possibility of designing a unique presentation tailored specifically for your group.

Violence Prevention Topics

Domestic Violence and Society

The primary audience for this presentation is college or graduate student groups who would like to take an in-depth look at the dynamics of intimate partner abuse, how society fails victims through victim-blaming, and how “the system” sometimes fails the victims it is meant to protect.

Intimate Partner Violence: Healthcare Provider Training

The exact format for this hands-on training will vary based upon the needs of each unique audience. The type of trainings available range from brief discussions about YWCA services, to annual or semi-annual presentations, to on-going consultation in implementing an office/system-wide protocol for intimate partner violence assessment. The types of training include:

Brief discussions: This training is ideal for healthcare providers and staff who work in a setting with an established intimate partner violence protocol and who already have both a strong understanding of the dynamics of intimate partner violence. We discuss the services offered by YWCA Greater Lafayette for men and women who are experiencing intimate partner abuse.

Annual/semi-annual training: This training is ideal for students in medical programs or for current providers looking for continuing education on intimate partner violence. Participants in this hands-on, active training will come away with a better understanding of the dynamics and health consequences of abuse and the reasons why a patient might stay in an abusive relationship. We also examine how to assess, document, and intervene in cases of intimate partner violence in a compassionate, culturally-sensitive way.

Ongoing consultation: For healthcare offices or systems desiring to implement a new protocol or evaluate an existing protocol for intimate partner violence assessment and intervention, we offer on-going guidance through the process of:

• Choosing the appropriate assessment tool
• Training staff in proper assessment documentation
• Educating staff about community resources for abused patients
• Evaluating protocol efficacy and staff compliance.

Teen Dating Violence

This presentation is interactive and specifically tailored to a teen audience. We look at video clips, songs currently popular on the radio, and music videos to gain a better understanding of what healthy versus unhealthy relationships look like. Topics discussed include:

• The common forms of dating abuse
• The importance of consent
• The factors that influence someone’s decision to stay or leave an abusive relationship
• How to safely end an abusive relationship

Supporting Survivors

The primary audience for this presentation is community groups, workplaces, and religious organizations. We discuss the prevalence and dynamics of domestic violence and focus on concrete steps to help a friend or family member who is being abused. Much of this presentation focuses on understanding the reasons why victims may not appear to want help, and how to remain a loving supporter of the victim throughout this difficult journey.

Human Trafficking

You can help stop the spread of human trafficking by recognizing the signs that someone is being trafficked and alerting authorities. YWCA Greater Lafayette is equipped to deal with the unique situations of victims of human trafficking. For more information, call us at 765-423-1118.

People may be vulnerable to trafficking if they:

• Have an unstable living situation
• Have previously experienced other forms of violence such as sexual abuse or domestic violence
• Have run away or are involved in the juvenile justice or child welfare system
• Are undocumented immigrants
• Are facing poverty or economic need
• Have a caregiver or family member who has a substance use issue
• Are addicted to drugs or alcohol

Traffickers can be acquaintances, strangers, romantic partners, or family members. Victims are often lured in by promises of jobs, good wages, or romantic relationships.

Be aware of these types of situations:

• A would-be employer refuses to give workers a signed contract or asks them to sign a contract in a language they can’t read.
• A would-be employer collects fees from a potential worker for the “opportunity” to work in a particular job.
• A friend, family member, co-worker, or student is newly showered with gifts or money or otherwise becomes involved in an overwhelming, fast-moving, and asymmetric (e.g., large difference in age or financial status) romantic relationship.
• A friend, family member, or student is a frequent runaway and may be staying with someone who is not their parent or guardian.
• A family member, friend, co-worker, or student is developing a relationship that seems too close with someone they know solely on social media.
• A family member, friend, or student lives with a parent or guardian and shows signs of abuse.
• A family member, friend, or co-worker is offered a job opportunity that seems too good to be true.
• A family member, friend, or co-worker is recruited for an opportunity that requires them to move far away, but their recruiter or prospective employer avoids answering their questions or is reluctant to provide detailed information about the job.

Labor trafficking often includes situations where anyone – men, women, and children – are forced to work to get out of debt or forced to work under threats of violence or disclosing immigration status. Control of victims can include physical or emotional isolation.

Be aware of possible labor trafficking if someone:

• Feels pressured by their employer to stay in a job or situation they want to leave
• Owes money to an employer or recruiter or are not being paid what they were promised or are owed
• Does not have control of their passport or other identity documents
• Is living and working in isolated conditions, largely cut off from interaction with others or support systems
• Appears to be monitored by another person when talking or interacting with others
• Is being threatened by their boss with deportation or other harm
• Is working in dangerous conditions without proper safety gear, training, adequate breaks, or other protections
• Is living in dangerous, overcrowded, or inhumane conditions provided by an employer

Sex trafficking occurs when individuals are made to perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Any child under 18 who is involved in commercial sex is legally a victim of trafficking, regardless of whether there is a third party involved.

Someone may be experiencing sex trafficking if they:

• Want to stop participating in commercial sex but feel scared or unable to leave the situation.
• Disclose that they were reluctant to engage in commercial sex but that someone pressured them into it.
• Live where they work or are transported by guards between home and workplace.
• Are children who live with or are dependent on a family member with a substance use problem or who is abusive.
• Have a “pimp” or “manager” in the commercial sex industry.
• Work in an industry where it may be common to be pressured into performing sex acts for money, such as a strip club or illicit massage business.
• Have a controlling parent, guardian, romantic partner, or “sponsor” who will not allow them to meet or speak with anyone alone or who monitors their movements, spending, or communications.

More information can be found at The National Human Trafficking Hotline or the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault (ICESA)

We offer free support groups that provide a safe, welcoming space for healing, connection, and growth.

Sign up for Support Groups here

Aliento

Primer y tercer martes del mes 624 N 6th St., Lafayette, IN 47901 3:30PM – 5PM.

Aliento es un espacio para pausar, respirar y conectar. Este grupo de apoyo ofrece un lugar para tener conversaciones abiertas sobre las barreras que afectan nuestra salud, tanto física como emocionalmente. Juntos, vamos a normalizar nuestras luchas con nuestros cuerpos, la comida, la familia, las finanzas, las relaciones y mucho más - abriendo la puerta a la sanación a través de una conversación honesta. El grupo está dirigido en español por Erika Ellsworth-preguntas llame 765-423-7067. GRATIS

Reflexiones

Segundo y cuarto miércoles del mes en Recovery Cafe 2300 Ferry St., Lafayette, IN 47905 10AM – 11:30AM.

Segundo jueves de cada mes en Purdue Extension Clinton County 1111 S Jackson St., Frankfort, IN 46041 10AM – 11:30AM.

Para ayuda en español pregunte por Nohemí Lugo, 765-423-7015.

Si estás pasando por momentos difíciles o estás en la plenitud de tu vida, no tienes que afrontarlos sola. Este grupo de apoyo te brinda la oportunidad de compartir tus experiencias, sentimientos y estrategias de sobrevivencia. El arte curativo es parte del grupo.

Enriquecimiento de la Familia/Grupo para Padres Le da a las mujeres y hombres nuevas herramientas para disciplinar a sus hijos, aumentar la auto estima de los niños y mejorar la comunicación entre la familia. Este grupo se reúne dos horas por semana. La clase dura siete semanas. Necesita registrarse antes del comienzo de la clase. GRATIS.

Reflections

Every 2nd and 4th Monday at YWCA Greater Lafayette Advocacy Center 624 N 6th St., Lafayette, IN 47901 from 5PM - 6:30PM.

Reflections is a welcoming support group for women who want a safe place to talk, listen, and grow. It offers honest conversation, shared experiences, and encouragement from others who understand the challenges of balancing life, relationships, work, and self-worth. Through guided discussions and mutual support, Reflections helps women build confidence, clarity, and a stronger sense of connection.

Healing Forward - Group is currently paused

Every Thursday at YWCA Greater Lafayette Advocacy Center 624 N 6th St., Lafayette, IN 47901 from 11AM – 12PM.

Every Thursday virtually from 6PM – 7PM.

WALK INS ARE WELCOME!

This sexual assault support group focuses on healing and coping skills. There will be a mix of open table group discussion and lessons from the books, choosing one topic each week to focus on while also allotting time for group members to openly share about what is going on in their lives. Topics include but are not limited to: reclaiming safety, self worth, focus, control, creating boundaries, cultivating self-compassion, confidence, and resilience.

Love & Logic - Group is currently paused

Tuesdays in Lafayette 6:30PM – 8PM.

This class is designed for parents, foster or adoptive families and others serving children and teens who have experienced trauma. You will learn how to stay calm when your kids do upsetting things; help your kids learn from mistakes so they don’t repeat them; set enforceable limits; and avoid enabling and start empowering. It will help you gain powerful insights into how trauma affects the brain and the science behind healthy attachment.

EMPOWER! - Group is currently paused

Wednesdays in Lafayette 6PM – 7:30PM.

This educational workshop works with survivors of domestic and sexual violence who want to learn about the cycle of violence, power and control, and who want to develop some techniques to help with survivorship. Topics include self-talk, red flags, communications styles, financial empowerment, and more.

Expressions - Group is currently paused

First Thursday of every month in Lafayette 6PM – 7:30PM.

This healing art group is a safe space for survivors of trauma. Every healing art workshop is a window of time during which participants are invited to express themselves creatively and authentically. Simultaneous workshops for adults and kids allow survivors of all ages to participate. Expressions is facilitated by staff trained in the A Window Between Worlds model, and is not offered as art therapy.