By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
EL RENO – Canadian County’s domestic violence agency is seeking feedback from clients through an online survey.
Intervention and Crisis Advocacy Network (ICAN) has seen the number of clients visiting its advocates increase by almost 20% over the last two years.
“The circumstances we hear and see are intense and we want to do the best we can to provide support,” ICAN Executive Director Matt Whetzel said.
“It is difficult to get the feedback we are requesting from a client who works with an advocate because they are in a high stress situation and are not always in a state of mind to complete a survey. Also, we are very cautious about sending any follow up survey requests directly to those we have met with after they leave because of their safety.”
The survey may be accessed through this link:
https://www.icancrisisnetwork.com/community-needs-survey
The purpose of ICAN’s survey is to gather information from community members who may have experienced or are dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking or their friends or family members.
“The feedback and responses that we gather through this survey will be invaluable in helping improve current services and identifying additional services needed to help support those we work with every day,” Whetzel said.
ICAN provides free and confidential services to individuals who have experienced all forms of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, elder abuse, and human trafficking.
It is an on-site partner agency at Cardinal Point, the Canadian County family justice center.
In 2022, ICAN helped 541 women, 86 men and 36 children escape domestic violence situations – 270 from Yukon, 155 from El Reno, 83 from Mustang, and 32 from Piedmont.
ICAN advocates are on pace to assist 700 clients in 2023.
FOUR DECADES
ICAN has been Canadian County’s domestic violence agency for four decades. The El Reno program house has served Canadian County residents since August 1997.
ICAN has a 24-hour crisis hotline and offers an emergency shelter for victims. The program started in 1981.
Their mission statement is: “We Intervene in times of crisis; Advocate for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking and Network with community partners to empower victims to become survivors.”
With offices in El Reno and Chickasha, the agency provides crisis intervention, transportation to a safe place, safety planning, hospital and court advocacy, and transitional housing assistance for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
The nonprofit relies on fund-raising support and donations.
ICAN recently was awarded more than $17,000 as recipient of The Power of 100 Canadian County’s quarterly grant.
ICAN’s Board of Directors are:
President Jenna Brown, Vice President Pam Ladyman, Secretary Misty Steele, Treasurer Katrina Hughes, Susan McGrew-Cecil, David Craig, Terry Martin, State Rep. Brian Hill, Tommy Humphries, Cheryl Lister, Paul Reynolds, Rosalia Pecina, Johanna Lewis, and Taylor Brown.
Whetzel has been ICAN’s executive director since March 2021. Carolyn Husmann is associate director.
For more information, visit www.icancrisisnetwork.com or call (405) 262-4455.
