News and Events - Outer Banks Hotline

First Crisis Line Training of 2010 Scheduled; Sign Up Now!

Where: Outer Banks Hotline, Manteo
When: Feb. 20 -- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The crisis line is the core of Hotline’s crisis intervention services. It is essential that the crisis line is answered 24 hours each day, 7 days each week by a trained volunteer or by staff members.

Crisis line volunteers can work from the privacy of their own home with the forwarded crisis line. Using a comprehensive resource manual and skills from the crisis line training, volunteers can confidently provide a confidential, non-judgmental and caring sounding board for callers to the line as well as accurate referral information about local resources. Crisis line volunteers also provide the gateway for callers in crisis to access shelter and advocacy services. Crisis line volunteers also field calls from law enforcement and the Outer Banks Hospital. Every shift is supported by core staff members who are on call to be ready to step in or assist with difficult situations.

Crisis line volunteers should be mature, dependable individuals who are able to commit to at least 24 hours of service each month. Following the one-day orientation on February 20, crisis line volunteers will have an opportunity for additional in-service training or updates to their resource manuals. Additional volunteer opportunities working directly with clients — hospital accompaniment, court advocacy, crisis response in the event of a visitor’s sudden death or serious injury — all require the basic crisis line training as a foundation. For more information, please call 473-5121.

Hotline To Provide Services to Hyde and Tyrrell Counties

Where: Hyde County & Tyrrell County
When: June 19, 2009

The goal of the Outer Banks Hotline in Hyde and Tyrrell is to mentor a grassroots community organization that will offer comprehensive domestic violence and sexual victimization prevention and education services to the residents of these counties.

In late fall of 2008, Outer Banks Hotline was asked by the Governor’s Crime Commission and the North Carolina Council for Women and Domestic Violence Commission to provide emergency services to victims of domestic violence and sexual victimization in the neighboring counties of Hyde and Tyrrell.

Hyde and Tyrrell County Offices

Business hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Advocates: 252-216-6586 or 252-216-6588

Community Outreach: 252-216-8737

24-hour Crisis Line: 800-473-3366

Thrift Shops

Columbia: 252-796-5526

Swan Quarter: 252-926-5701

Hotline General Business Office: 252-473-5121

Established in 1980, Hotline is a mature program ready to share its expertise and success. Since its inception Hotline has grown and developed strong programs to provide emergency assistance for victims of domestic violence and sexual victimization, including a 24-hour crisis phone line, safe shelter, advocacy with the courts and law enforcement, support groups, accompaniment with sexual assault victims for forensic exams, and referral for counseling and/or legal representation. Hotline also offers an array of prevention education programs appropriate for school, church and civic groups as well as materials to share with adults and youths. Hotline has developed many community partnerships to share information about domestic violence and sexual victimization intervention and prevention including training opportunities for law enforcement, social workers, health care providers and teachers. Hotline offers a state-certified abuser treatment program. Finally, Hotline has a Displaced Homemaker Program that assists adult women with achieving independence through education and training opportunities, budgeting, building social networks and support groups. A current Hotline project is to partner with the faith community to provide a safety net for families and individuals in crisis due to abusive and destructive relationships and family dynamics.

Hotline is supported by grants, contributions and fundraisers. The largest and most visible fundraiser is our thrift shop operation. With the opening of the Swan Quarter and Columbia stores, Hotline is operating seven thrift shops. These shops provide low-cost good quality clothing, furniture and household items, as well as opportunities for community supporters to donate unwanted items and volunteer their time to support Hotline's crisis intervention and prevention programs. The thrift shops provide visibility and stability for Hotline as well as a steady source of operating income. In Hyde and Tyrrell, this income is essential to offset office rent, utilities, phone service and other supplies. Income from these stores will remain in the Hyde and Tyrrell communities to fund important services and programs. Grant requests to the Governor’s Crime Commission have been approved for the next funding cycle and grants have been written and submitted to the NC Council for Women and Domestic Violence Commission to expand the first steps of establishing a grassroots program to serve Hyde and Tyrrell. This larger, continuous presence in Hyde and Tyrrell will lay a firm foundation for the formation of a grassroots non-profit organization that will be Outer Banks Hotline’s little sister until she can stand on her own.

If you are interested in becoming involved, there are many ways:

Become a volunteer

Donate clothing and household items

Invite the staff to speak at your church or civic group

Spread the word … You are building YOUR program!

Hotline Sponsors Law Enforcement Training

Where: Kitty Hawk Town Hall
When: May 21, 2009

Outer Banks Hotline recently sponsored a 2-day law enforcement training at Kitty Hawk Town Hall. Michael Prodan, an Instructor/Consultant and Lieutenant with the South Carolina Special Law Enforcement Division, presented the two 6-hour trainings entitled "Sexual Victimization of Children" and "Working with 'late' Reporters of Rape or Sexual Victimization." All law enforcement officers in attendance received credit from the North Carolina Justice Academy.

In the photo above, Lt. Michael Prodan is center, flanked by officers from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, High Point, Pasquatank County, Greenville, Dare County Sheriffs Office, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Duck.

Hotline believes that offering high caliber trainings with credit gives local law enforcement agencies a chance to stay on the cutting edge of new techniques while staying close to their work and family. This training was funded by the productions of the 2009 Vagina Monologues. For more information, please call Hotline at 473-5121.

Sexual Assault Investigation Training for Law Enforcement

Where: Kitty Hawk Town Hall
When: May 11-12, 2009

Outer Banks Hotline, Inc will be sponsoring a 2-day training on May 11 and 12th, presented by Supervisory Special Agent (SC SLED) Michael Prodan. http://www.michaelprodan.com/

Day 1 — Sexual Victimization of Children
Not every child molester is a pedophile, Some substitute children for adults, others view children as "young adults." This course will illustrate how to tell the difference, which is important in setting the stage for that all important suspect interview. Also included will be the role of sexual imagery (pornography) and the use of the internet by offenders in sexual victimization of children.

Day 2 — Late reporting of Sexual Assault and Rape: How To Make the Case
Victims of acquaintance rape or sexual assault often report to law enforcement weeks, months or even years later. Special Agent Prodan will offer cognitive ways of working with compliant victims, dealing with the various levels of Rape Trauma Syndrome, the best ways to obtain ancillary interviews and search warrants, and working pretext phone calls. Prodan will wrap up the training with detailed information regarding how best to present the case to the district attorney.

Cost: $10 to cover cost of training materials and light refreshments, lunch will be on your own.

The Outer Banks Hotline, Inc.is pleased to annouce that this will be a NC Justice Academy sanctioned training.

Please call Gail Hutchison at 252-473-5121, fax 252-473-9895, or feel free to forward/post this information.

Calendar

Calendar coming soon!