Family Resources Inc. regionalizing some services - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Family Resources Inc. regionalizing some services

By: Katie Jones

kjones@cbs4qc.com

One in four women are victims of sexual or domestic abuse and that number keeps rising. Now, long time budget cuts are forcing a local organization that helps victims, to spread resources even thinner. After dealing with more than a decades worth of federal cuts, family resources is being forced to regionalize it's services which could change care for abuse victims in the QC.

 As more and more victims need help, Family Resources' Nicole Cisne Durbin said even more of their funds are being cut.

"A distance to a center should not be a barrier in a victim receiving services." Cisne Durbin said.

But Cisne Durbin said that's her biggest fear.

"My biggest concerns are ensuring that services are going to victims and victims don't feel like they have to travel many, many miles to access services", Cisne Durbin said.

By regionalizing services to save money, Cisne Durbin said one provider will have to take care of all services for the entire southeastern Iowa region.

"We have a 24 hour crisis line in both Muscatine and the Quad Cities. We have medical advocacy, legal advocacy. We work in courthouses to help folks get orders of protection. Just about anything dealing with victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence we provide services for", Cisne Durbin said.

When it comes to how or where services will be provided she said nothing's been set in stone but wants to assure victims they'll still get all the help and care they deserve.

"If you're a victim of a crime you shouldn't be expected to pay for the damages done by that crime and that's why these services are so important", Cisne Durbin said.

 The regionalizing of services will take effect July 1st. Family Resources is holding community meetings to get public input on how they think services should be provided. To find out more, visit www.famres.org.