Children Resources | Educating Delaware Students | Family Visitation Centers |Teen Dating Resources | Department of Justice – Family Division |End Violence Against Children

The Children and Domestic Violence Committee brings together representatives from the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families (DSCYF), the General Assembly, Family Court, the Department of Justice, law enforcement, advocates and community partners together to examine services and system gaps for children experiencing domestic violence.

Fiscal Year 2017 Accomplishments

The Committee examined 13 Del.C. § 705A regarding perpetrators of domestic violence.  The Committee continues to explore all statutes pertaining to the protection of Delaware’s children exposed to domestic violence.

In addition, the Separating and Divorcing Parent Education Program curriculum was discussed.  In reviewing the curriculum, the committee discussed the domestic violence information shared with parents who are taking the course as well as determining, if any, the challenges for the parents who are mandated to take the course.  This committee will continue to review the curriculum to ensure it is in line with best practices in the field of parent education courses.

Lastly, the DVCC was approved for funding through the Criminal Justice Council to bring the Safe & Together™ Model Suite of Tools and Interventions to Delaware. This has been a longstanding item on this committee’s agenda.  The DVCC will partner with the Division of Family Services and the Domestic Violence Liaison Programs across the state to conduct the assessment.  The ultimate goal of this project will be to improve the response and enhance services to victims of domestic violence who are involved with the child welfare system.  During the next fiscal year, this project will be implemented in three phases:

• Initial needs assessment and review of current practices;
• Training and technical assistance; and
• Review and evaluation to include a final report on the outcome and any changes made.

Legislation – Enhancing Children Safety 

Teen Dating and Same Sex Violence  (10 Del.C § 1041)

This landmark legislation (SB 57) made PFAs available to same sex and dating couples in-substantive relationships, expanding the option of a PFA to many who needed its protection.

Child Witnessing

The legislation (SB 33) strengthened Delaware’s Endangering the Welfare of a Child statute (11 Del.C § 1102) by qualifying that children can witness acts of domestic violence by sight as well as sound. Children do not need to see the crime to be significantly impacted by it.

Resources

Child Abuse Report Line
1-800-292-9582

All suspected child abuse and neglect must be reported to the 24-hour Division of Family Services (DFS) Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line or online. You may also call any Law Enforcement Agency or 911, but not in lieu of contacting DFS. You are not required to provide proof. Anyone who makes a good faith report based on reasonable grounds is immune from prosecution.

Call 2-1-1 if you need to be connected to resources within the community to help you manage issues whether you are facing multiple challenges such as single parenthood, or need access to low income services and support (i.e. POC, Medicaid, TANF).

Children Advocacy Center of Delaware
New Castle County  302-651-4566
Kent County  302-741-2123
Sussex County  302-854-0323

Provides victim service in a child friendly setting in order to expedite the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases while ensuring the victims receive immediate, effective and sensitive support.

Child Mental Health Mobile Crisis (under age 18)
1-800-969-4357

The victim service is located throughout the State in the Crisis Intervention Service Centers, the Community Mental Health Centers, the Recovery Response Center and Emergency Rooms. Crisis Intervention Service (CIS) staff are available 24 hours a day to assist people, 18 years and older, with severe personal, family or marital problems.

Family Counseling Center of St. Paul’s (Wilmington)
302-576-4136

Provides mental/behavioral health care services from licensed, bilingual (English/Spanish), culturally competent professionals. Our victim service includes assessment; treatment planning; resource referral; therapeutic support; and education for mental health, substance abuse, and family relationship challenges.

Futures Without Violence
www.futureswithoutviolence.org

Phone: 415-678-5500
TTY: 1-866-678-8901

From domestic violence and child abuse, to bullying and sexual assault, our groundbreaking programs, policy development, and public action campaigns are designed to prevent and end violence against women and children around the world.

Healthy Relationship Website – Love is Respect
www.loveisrespect.org

Text loveis to 22522*
866-331-9474

Highly-trained advocates offer support, information and advocacy to young people who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships. We also provide information and support to concerned friends and family members, teachers, counselors, service providers and members of law enforcement. Free and confidential phone, live chat and texting services are available 24/7/365

National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

TTY: 1-800-787-3224

Provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse. Callers can expect highly trained, experienced victim service advocates offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information and referral services in more than 200 languages.

Rape Crisis Hotlines

Sexual Assault Resources

New Castle County

YWCA Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC) 1-800-773-8570

Provides complete, free and confidential rape crisis victim service to sexual assault survivors aged 12 and older and their non-offending family members, friends and partners throughout the State of Delaware.

Kent & Sussex Counties

ContactLifeline Rape Crisis 302-761-9100

Assists survivors of a sexual assault, regardless of whether it just happened or happened many years ago with telephone counseling; information and referral; in-person support and assistance at hospitals police stations, and courts; plus, individual counseling for survivors, friends and family.

Delaware State University Rape Crisis  302-420-5751
24/7 victim service and crisis support

University of Delaware Sexual Offense Support (S.O.S.)  302-831-1001 press 1
24/7 victim service and crisis support
(give a first name & phone number and an SOS victim service advocate will call you back within 10 minutes)