Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Program
History of Program Implementation
In 2005, four women were brutally murdered by their intimate partners in the City of Roanoke. In February 2006, a Domestic Violence Task Force was formed to address the growing concern. In the absence of a safe place for victims to bring their children for court ordered supervised visitation and exchanges, the City of Roanoke partnered with Total Action Against Poverty (TAP) to acknowledge and address the need for supervised visitation and safe exchange services for victims of domestic violence and their children by forming TAP Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Program (TSVSEP). TSVSEP is funded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. This grant program provides the opportunity for participation in safe, victim-sensitive child exchanges and supervised parental visits to families in the 23rd Judicial District who are struggling to cope with domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse, sexual assault and/or stalking. The 23rd Judicial District is comprised of the City of Roanoke, County of Roanoke, and the City of Salem. TSVSEP is the only high-risk supervised visitation and safe exchange program in the region.
TAP Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Program (TSVSEP) provides services that promote the opportunity for both adult and child victims of domestic violence to have safe and secure supervised visitations and exchanges. TAP Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Program exercises equal regard for the safety of adult victims and their children by utilizing a plan for safe arrival and departure and safe use of program services for the participant at risk. TSVSEP will support both parents in making non-violent choices and will attempt to assist both parents by making appropriate referrals to collaborating agencies if a need is identified.
Domestic violence is an intentional pattern of abusive behaviors that impacts everyone regardless of financial status, religion, race, sexual orientation or age. Domestic violence disrupts households, causing untold harm to families. It is with your support that TSVSEP can successfully provide services to victims of domestic violence in this community.