Due to recent grant funding, the Family Crisis Intervention Center is now able to provide support to Tyler County. The Family Crisis Center is an organization that provides support to victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. The center has the ability to provide anything a victim would need including developing a safety plan, resources, and therapy.

Melissa Wise, the new Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victim Advocate for Tyler County reported, “We are actively searching for an office space to start making roots in the community…We just received the grant funding to service Tyler County and are ready to hit the ground running.”

Wise described the victim’s advocates position as professionals whose primary role is to serve the needs of crime victims on an individual or system level.

“A victim’s advocate role varies from providing information on victimization, crime prevention, information on victims’ legal rights and procedures, information on the criminal justice process, emotional support for the victim, safety planning, compensation application, submitting comments to court or parole boards, intervening with creditors, landlords, or employers on behalf of the victims, finding shelter or transportation, referral for services, helping arrange funerals, notifying victims of inmates releases or escapes, and helping with domestic violence protection orders.” she further explained.

Wise emphasizes reaching out for help is often difficult and intimidating. However she reports a victim’s advocate can offer information, support, and access to helpful services one may not know about otherwise. All this is kept completely confidential.

Wise can be reached at her Pleasants County office on 2nd Street in St. Marys. She can also be reached by phone by calling 304-684-6512, and by email at Melissa.wise.fcic@gmail.com.