Caring Connection in Benton Harbor has opened a new trauma-informed interview room at its Empowerment Center, the only domestic abuse shelter in Berrien County.
Caring Connection CEO Robin McGinnis tells us support from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of Victims Services has made the new space possible. It’ll be used for interviews with those who have gone through traumatic situations.
“It’s a room where people can feel calm, safe, and get the support that they need to talk about the sexual assault,” McGinis said. “So, we’re looking at people being traumatized by whether it’s a rape, incest, whatever the assault is, and they can come 24 hours a day. They just need to let us know and we will have the support and services that they need.”
The space is designed to be quiet and comfortable. It’s painted with calm colors and includes items intended to help reduce anxiety. McGinnis says it stands in contrast to some of the police stations or hospitals some victims may find themselves being questioned in.
“When the Empowerment Center gets a call from Corewell Health, because they have forensic nurses, and they ask us to come and meet the victim in the emergency room, it can be incredibly overwhelming. It can be frightening.”
Caring Connection will be working with police and healthcare providers to make the new interview room available. It can also be used for virtual court hearings, allowing survivors to participate in legal proceedings from a private and secure environment.
McGinnis says the Empowerment Center will coordinate use of the room with police, forensic nurses, and Berrien County courts to provide an option that puts survivors’ emotional well-being first.
