Choices Education Class provides vital support to survivors of intimate partner violence

Survivors of intimate partner violence often consider many choices as they navigate their relationship with an abusive partner, including whether they should keep silent or tell someone they trust, file a request to obtain a protective order, call the police, or seek safe shelter at a domestic violence agency if they are in fear for their physical safety.

Some survivors may ponder the consequences of their choices –how can they keep themselves and their children safe? Others may simply want to know where to turn to learn about resources to help inform their decisions.

Here in Kentuckiana, an educational class appropriately titled Choices, is providing survivors vital information and support. Offered by The Center, which provides both immediate and long-term support for people impacted by domestic or sexual violence in its nine-county service area in Kentucky and Southern Indiana, Choices is designed to increase awareness and understanding of power-based abuse, tactics of control, and the dynamics of intimate partner violence.  The free class imparts essential knowledge to participants about recognizing red flags, developing safety plans, establishing healthy boundaries in relationships, and learning strategies to help children exposed to violence heal.

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Choices is a two-hour class that is offered in-person once monthly at The Center’s Jefferson County location as well as its Bullitt and Shelby County locations. Residents of other Kentucky counties that The Center serves – Henry, Trimble, Oldham, and Spencer – can attend the class at either of the listed locations. The classes are also offered virtually once a month for residents of these seven counties, as well as to residents of Clark and Floyd Counites in Southern Indiana.

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While tailored to survivors of intimate partner violence, the class is open to concerned friends and family members, and it usually consists of individuals who learned about it after calling The Center’s hotline or after being encouraged to attend Choices by one of the organization’s community partners, such as Child Protective Services or Kentucky Temporary Assistance Program. Individuals may also be referred to the class by the courts.

 “Sometime a judge may be particularly concerned about someone who has come before them in a domestic violence case, so they make the referral for that person to take the class,” said Karen Hardt, Supervisor of Domestic Violence Services at The Center.

Hardt said individuals who are referred through the court system may have submitted a petition to the court to withdraw or drop an order of protection. “When the courts refer someone to this class, they know that person will receive knowledge that will help them make an informed choice or decision.”

 Elizabeth Martin, President and CEO of The Center, says the education received through Choices can save lives.

“People in abusive relationships do not always fully realize their situation or call it what it is. But they may know they are afraid of or are becoming afraid of their partner,” said Martin. “Getting out of an abusive relationship is not an event but a process that takes careful safety planning. Never ignore that first shove, because over time, it can escalate into something much more dangerous. It's important to recognize the signs of abuse early and get connected with a support system before the violence escalates,” she said.

Choices is a two-hour class that is offered in-person once monthly at The Center’s Jefferson County location as well as its Bullitt and Shelby County locations. Residents of other Kentucky counties that The Center serves – Henry, Trimble, Oldham, and Spencer – can attend the class at either of the listed locations. The classes are also offered virtually once a month for residents of these seven counties.

Choices is offered once a month virtually to residents of Clark and Floyd Counites in Southern Indiana.

Those interested in taking the class must pre-register by calling The Center’s 24/7 confidential crisis line at 1-844-237-2331.