In order to serve as many survivors of abuse as safely as possible during the ongoing pandemic, Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency (WIRC-CAA) Victim Services, a local domestic and sexual violence agency, has expanded its counseling options for domestic violence clients. As of December 2020, clients have the added option to meet with their counselors virtually.
The agency’s Domestic Violence Program is using Doxy, a HIPAA-compliant telemedicine software company, to provide this new service to their clients. Public Relations Manager Jamie Roth says the agency believes that clients will appreciate the flexibility of this extra option. “Doxy allows our clients to join a secure and confidential counseling session via their home computer or smartphone,” says Roth. “This flexibility increases the likelihood that a survivor will be able to find a quiet, safe place away from their abuser to attend their counseling session. Virtual counseling can be a great option for survivors who miss the face-to-face interaction of in-person appointments.”
Roth continued that Doxy will be familiar to those who have used video conference tools like Zoom or have made video calls. “The service has a friendly, intuitive interface, even for those who are not technologically-inclined. Clients who choose virtual counseling will be sent a secure, temporary website link from their counselor. After clicking the link, clients need to give Doxy permission to access the camera and microphone on the device they are using. After that, their counseling session can begin.”
At this time, sexual assault clients may have available through their counselor or advocate a similar secure platform to use through Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA). Sexual assault clients are encouraged to contact their counselor for more information.
Anyone interested in this new service should request it from their counselor at least one week prior to their first virtual appointment. Telephone-only counseling options are still available. Availability for in-person counseling is subject to state and local guidelines.
For more information about Victim Services, visit http://wirpc.org/victim-services/, find them on social media, or call their business line at 309-837-6622. If you have experienced abuse at any point in your life, or if you think someone you know is being abused, call Victim Services’ free and confidential crisis hotline at 309-837-5555.
