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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

The Chilton County Sheriff’s Office has established the Victim Services Unit to combat domestic violence in the county and end the silence behind it. The new unit at the CCSO will be spearheaded by Gina Mims Whatley who will serve as the Domestic Violence Victim Advocate for the CCSO and the Victim Services Unit.

The purpose of the unit is to “ensure protection of victims’ rights and enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to crime victims,” according to a press release from the sheriff’s office on Aug. 12. Domestic violence comes in many different shapes and forms, and it is important to the new unit to provide education to victims so that they are able to recognize all the different types of abuse that may be happening to them.

The unit will tend to the victim’s needs throughout the entire process of a domestic violence case from the court proceedings, assistance with restitution or compensation, emergency shelter, counseling and basic daily needs.

“I am here to meet the needs of the victims, that means to emotionally support them, to encourage them and empower them to regain their confidence, restore their hope, reclaim their dreams and regain sustainability to where they do not believe that the only option they have is to return to the person abusing them,” Whatley said.

Whatley was born in Clanton and resides in the area with her husband, Harold, and dog, Aubie. She currently serves as a member on the Central Alabama Wellness Board, and has received extensive domestic violence training through many different departments. Those include the National Association of Victim Assistance, the Domestic Violence Intervention Center in Lee County and she has worked with the victim advocate with the Calera Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Mitzie Wheat.

Whatley attended Auburn University and graduated with a Master of Social Work. She always knew that she wanted to be a social worker, but not sure in what area. She started doing research, and that is when she was introduced to the Domestic Violence Intervention Center in Opelika. She began working in the field, and her passion grew from there, but she always knew domestic violence was something that needed to be brought to light more.

“I knew from an early age that domestic violence was wrong, and that there needed to be help for those going through that,” Whatley said. “I did not ever think I would be in this position now, but I am fulfilling what I believe is my mission here.”

After she found that passion and her calling, Whatley approached Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon about battling the issue locally. Shearon shared with her the large amount of domestic violence cases and calls that occur in the county. The creation of the Victim Services Unit was brought on in large part due to the high number of domestic violence related crimes in the county, and those victims needing a resource to help them. The unit will protect families and help rebuild them, help the children and protect against further abuse in the future. Shearon and Whatley both feel that working together they can help decrease those cases, and hopefully eradicate them completely so families are safer and happier.

Victims have rights, and Whatley wants to protect those rights for them and make sure they know exactly what those rights are. That includes making sure law enforcement officers are well trained to recognize the signs, symptoms and dynamics that come with domestic violence as well. In October, the CCSO will hold a Domestic Violence Training Conference for all personnel to ensure victims’ trauma is reduced and that their recovery is expedited as much as possible.

“Also, victims are emotionally supported and empowered to lead safe lives free of fear and violence, which includes establishing immediate and long-term safety plans,” the press release from the CCSO said. “The goal to end domestic violence is attainable with a collaboration between law enforcement and the victim services advocate to recognize the signs and symptoms of domestic violence, educate about the cycle of violence, fight for social justice, instill maximum hope, promote self-efficacy and aid in sustaining change for victims.”

The creation of the Victim Services Unit was made possible by a grant from the Law Enforcement/Traffic Safety Division of Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) for the Office on Violence Against Women. The funds came from the STOP (Services, Training, Officers and Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program by the U.S. Department of Justice, and it covered 75% of the costs for starting the new unit. The other 25% of funding was provided by the Chilton County Commission.

Whatley said the support that has come from not only the CCSO, but the Commission as well, is a huge help in knowing that others in Chilton County want this problem to be solved just as much as she does.

“For many, many years domestic violence has been silent,” Whatley said. “The silence is being broken now through the grants and the different agencies willing to offer whatever they can. It is wonderful, and it will help and save so many people by collaborating and working together to stop domestic violence.”

Whatley said she hopes to be a beacon of light as the Domestic Violence Victim Advocate so that those victims who may feel like they cannot speak up will now that there are resources here for them. Those needing victim assistance can reach Whatley by calling the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office at 205-755-4698 and extension 4208, or by visiting room 204 in the Chilton County Courthouse.

“I am here to assist you as a victim,” Whatley said. “You can give me a call any time, and I want you to know that I will work with you with compassion and empathy because I understand your situation. I want to make sure that you have the safest future possible, that the abuse stops and that it does not carry on for generations.”