Family Advocates, Inc.

Family Advocates, Inc. is dedicated to the prevention of violence in people's lives through provision of emergency, supportive, and advocacy services to survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault for residents of Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette counties. Family Advocates, Inc. assists survivors and their families as they attempt to make their lives free from violence. In the 1970's a group of concerned individuals began talking about domestic abuse and our response to it and they started the Project on Domestic Abuse for our area. In March 1981, a 24-hour crisis line began with 72-hour safe homes. The staff consisted of only a part-time director and volunteers. In August 1986, with the support of grants from the City of Platteville and Community Development Block Grant, a shelter was opened. The shelter was a two-story house where women were provided a safe place to stay for us to 30 days. This shelter was first designated for only Grant County was later expanded to include the residents of Iowa and Lafayette Counties. In 1987, money from the Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) was received and the Sexual Assault Program was added. Two years later, in November 1989, and increase in VOCA funds enabled us to start the Children's Services Program and hire a volunteer coordinator. A Legal Advocacy Program was added in July 1991, and the Injunction Advocate was added in July 1996. In December 1989, Family Advocates, Inc. relocated to a larger building. The original building was then converted into two apartments for use a Transitional Living House. In November 1995, we began a Domestic Abuse On-Call Advocacy Program to serve victims at hospitals and law enforcement agencies, to work in conjunction with the existing Sexual Assault On-Call Program.

Family Advocates, Inc. is a non-profit organization providing services for victims sexual assault and domestic violence. Services include a 24-hour help line, peer counseling, advocacy, crisis intervention, support groups, emergency shelter and more. We have offices in Iowa, Lafayette, and Grant county but our confidential shelter location is housed in Grant County. Our staff are dedicated to providing safety, education, and support to individuals that have been effected by traumatizing abusive experiences.