Contact THE ARTEMIS CENTER The founders saw that victims fleeing domestic violence, in addition to needing a safe place, also need help and guidance through the often confusing and sometimes intimidating legal system. They also need information about domestic violence, and how it affects the individual and children in a household. Because many victims of domestic violence are isolated, the agency provides referrals to other community services able to assist victims. By providing this information and support, Artemis empowers victims to make decisions and choices that will lead to safety for themselves and their children. In addition to helping people in crisis, Artemis has become a community resource for creating a coordinated response to domestic violence. Because all systems must work together to protect victims and hold batterers accountable, Artemis and the YWCA joined together to form The Family Violence Collaborative in 1993. This Collaborative has brought together law enforcement, criminal justice, child protection and health care professionals to develop protocols of response. One of these collaborative efforts, a project with Montgomery County Children Services, was highlighted in a book published by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. The Council has deemed the collaboration with Artemis, the YWCA Shelter and Housing Network and Montgomery County Children Services, as well as the Artemis Children's Program to be among the best in the nation. Today there is an Artemis Advocate in almost every courtroom in the county. The project with Children Services is a model to help other communities develop similar programs. Artemis has made great strides in the community, helping more than 70,000 victims and their children since 1985.
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In June 1985, Artemis Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence was established as Artemis House. Founded by a small group of women, often working without pay, Artemis was to provide services beyond the traditional housing and safety offered by shelters.