Pacer Pillowtalk: Cumbee Center helps domestic abuse victims in Aiken area

The Cumbee Center is a haven for victims of domestic and sexual abuse in Aiken. The center offers a variety of services, narrowed into three categories: crisis, case management and counseling.

Victims of abuse may call their crisis hotline in the case of an emergency, which can vary from hospitalization needs to an emergency shelter. The center also offers a case management service, which aims to ensure that abuse survivors have access to resources and protective services. This includes services such as transportation, financial assistance, temporary housing and personal items such as clothing. 

The center also provides programs to survivors and their loved ones to overcome their abuse and trauma. Therapy is offered in a wide variety and the therapy needed will vary between victims. Support groups for victims are also provided for individuals to share their trauma, coping mechanisms, or just to express how they are feeling. 

Safety planning educational courses are offered for those seeking to leave a relationship or for those who have already left. The Cumbee Center will also help victims take legal action against an abuser. Attorneys provided work to either sue the abuser in court, or to obtain an order of protection for the victim.

Warning signs for a victim of abuse can be tricky to spot, but the Cumbee Center notes that reliable ways to identify the victim are a few of these traits:

The victim will constantly apologize, even for minor inconveniences.

The victim will constantly blame themselves in many situations.

The victim will be very wary to leave their abuser (it may take up to 7 or 8 tries before a victim is ready to leave their abuser for good).

The victim may have frequent, various marks such as bruises.

For friends and family members who may suspect someone they know is a victim of abuse, the Cumbee Center urges them to listen to and encourage the victim to take the next step, and to let the victim know that they are not alone. Helping the victim in any way they can to get them out of their abusive relationship is the best way to help someone who cannot help themselves.