Child custody visits can be complicated, tense situations for everyone involved.

Add domestic violence to the mix, and visitations aren't just difficult.

They can be dangerous.

Green House 17, An organization that provides services to victims of domestic violence, started safe child exchange and parental visitation programs for this reason.

One opened at a local church in Danville last month.

We found out how the program works.

Greenhouse, 17 That's what we get up every day to do is to help keep those who have been impacted by intimate partner violence and their children safe.

One gap in service, in our opinion, was the visitation exchange.

This service is really kind of wrapped around the children, and we know research has shown that when left to their own accord without any interventions in the beginning, a lot of times during these exchanges or visitations, things get escalated between the parties.

So our goal is to make sure that doesn't happen where the visiting parent arrives.

We hold them.

The non visiting parent comes with the children, We escort the children in and then they can leave while the visiting parent stays and visits.

And then we hold the visiting parent until after the non visiting parent has come and taken the children and left the premises.

And then we then allow the other party to leave and everybody agrees to this process going in that way.

Survivors have enough time to leave, get to where they're going without worrying about being stalked or followed or harassed in any way.

So we try to reduce any contact so that things can de-escalate.

And honestly, I have to say that church, Grace Church, made it possible for this service to exist here.

Well, churches, a facility that oftentimes have several rooms that are outfitted for kids.

And and a lot of times those rooms throughout the week not on Sundays, are not getting used.

And so it's a great opportunity to partner and in our church and are engaged and deeply care about the families and kids in our community.

And so we look for ways to bless them and be a part of seeing just the prosperity and help of families.

And so we really value partnerships.

We recognize that you are in and of ourselves, in our small church.

We can't influence our whole community, but we can be a part if we're working with other organizations to have a broader impact.

You know, what happens is a lot of times when domestic violence has escalated and somebody has sought protection or help, you might need to figure out how you're going to navigate the future or the relationship or leaving a relationship doesn't necessarily mean that your intention is that your children never have access to the other parent for the visiting parent, it provides them an opportunity to kind of settle, get to know their child one on one again, you know, to make sure that that child knows that they're cared for and and loved by that individual.

It gives an opportunity and and it's safe for them as well.

Nobody can make allegations or cross allegations.

We're right there and we're observing the visits.

Survivors and children need a whole community wrapped around them just traditional approaches and interventions are typically not enough.

And I think as a community, when we come together and think of creative approaches or ways to partner in do it speaks volumes because it tells survivors and their children that they have value, that they have worth that they deserve safety and to be believed in, to be heard.

At the same time, being able to kind of hopefully help preserve family, whatever that gets redefined as.

The visitations are by appointment only and most often appointed by the courts.