Johnson City / Washington County Family Justice Center

The Johnson City | Washington County Family Justice Center will be closed tomorrow, July 4th, in celebration of Independence Day!

Here are some helpful 24 hour hotline numbers to remember while we are closed for the day.

Frontier Health - Safe House Johnson City Domestic Violence 24/7 Hotline: (423) 926-7233

Frontier Health - Safe House Johnson City Sexual Assault 24/7 Hotline: (423) 306-5169

Here is June's calendar of events at The River. Hard copies will be available of Tuesday, May 28th. Art Bags for kids will be available for children aged 3 and above on June 19th from9-12 during diaper day. We will also be open for regular services on every Wednesday that is not a diaper day. Diaper Days are the first and third Wednesday from 9-12 and Free Hair Cut Day is June 17th from 9-12 (sign-up starts at 8 am). We will be giving out goody bags with lots of stuff including sun screen and sunscreen lip gloss on June 12 starting at 8 am and while supplies last (50 bags need a new home). If you want to sign up for the Facial Treat on June 21st at 10 am (six people) please sign up at the front desk. Ms. Helen will provide a Satin Hands treat for everyone following the Facial Treat Workshop. Rocky, and her owner Karen, will be coming on June 7th and 28th at 10:30 am for some pet therapy and BINGO is on the 27th at 10 am. Lots to do- feel free to share!

The Johnson City | Washington County Family Justice Center will be closed Monday, May 27th, in observance of Memorial Day! We will resume normal hours Tuesday, May 28th.

Please keep in mind these 24 hour hotline numbers while we are closed for the holiday.

Frontier Health-Safe House Johnson City Domestic Violence 24/7 Hotline: (423) 926-7233

Frontier Health-Safe House Johnson City Sexual Assault 24/7 Hotline: (423) 306-5169

Thank you to the Johnson City Housing Authority for having the Johnson City | Washington County Family Justice Center staff at the Employment and Resource Outreach Event! A great day filled with amazing people and lots of community resources!

Hey there, Sullivan County and the Tri-Cities area! LAET and our incredible partners at the Kingsport Bar Association have an upcoming Legal Advice Clinic coming up on May 16, 2024. You can read more details at https://www.laet.org/event-calendar/

Thanks to the many donations we are continuing to receive for victims of s*xual assault, we were able to put outfits together for the Branch House Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Room at the Johnson City Medical Center. Thank you so much to those hosting a collection site and those who have generously donated the much needed items!

The donation barrels will continue to be out throughout the month of May. There are barrels located at the First Horizon Bank on North Roan St, Baker Donelson, Johnson City's City Hall, Johnson City Medical Center, and Burn Boot Camp!

For our final Community Connected Sunday, we would like to introduce our newest member to the Family Justice Center team, Gracie Delaney! Gracie works as the Family Support Specialist for the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Grow Free TN. She is responsible for providing in-home evidence-based, evidence-informed, and trauma informed interventions to guardians and other family members of youth under 18 who are victims of human trafficking. Gracie works to enhance youth support systems and maximize placement stability. We are so excited to welcome Gracie to our organization!

The Johnson City/Washington County Family Justice Center hosted a self-defense class with Instructor Bill Perkins! Thank you to everyone who attended our class in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month!

Denim Day 2024!


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The Denim Day story begins in Italy in 1992, when an 18-year old girl was r***d by the 45-year old driving instructor who was taking her to her very first driving lesson. He took her to an isolated road, pulled her out of the car, removed her jeans and forcefully r***d her.

She reports the r**e and the perpetrator is arrested and prosecuted. He is then convicted of r**e and sentenced to jail. Years later, he appealed the conviction claiming that they had consensual s*x. The Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction and the perpetrator was released. A statement from the Court argued that because the victim was wearing very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was not r**e but consensual s*x. This became known throughout Italy as the “jeans alibi.”

Enraged by the verdict, the women in the Italian Parliament launched a protest wearing jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court. This protest was picked up by international media which inspired Americans and people from all around the globe to participate by wearing jeans to protest all of the myths about why women and girls are r***d.

For the past 25 years, on the last Wednesday of April (Sexual Assault Awareness Month), people have worn jeans to protest victim blaming and the absurd myths about why r**e happens (hint, it has nothing to do with the victim's outfit and everything to do with the rapist's desire for power and control). Join us by wearing denim on Wednesday, April 24, and sharing a photo of yourself to show your solidarity with victims and support for survivors of s*xual violence. Tag us in your photos and use the hashtag to be featured in our newsletter!

It's time for another Community Connection Sunday! Tina Johnson is the Director of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services for Frontier Health / Safe House! Tina has dedicated over 30 years to servicing victims in our community. She supervises the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Advocates at the Family Justice Center and Branch House Family Justice Center while also being responsible for Safe House, a domestic violence shelter, for both the Kingsport and Johnson City locations. We would like to say a big thank you to Tina Johnson for the impact you've made in our community and the life changing work you do!

The furry friends of Johnson City are showing their support for Sexual Assault Awareness Month by wearing teal!

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The Family Justice Center staff is spreading words of encouragement with rock paintings throughout downtown Johnson City! If you find any of our inspirational rocks, please post a picture and tag the Family Justice Center!

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is next Wednesday, April 24th! Denim Day is part of an annual awareness effort due to a legislation in Italy in 1998, where a r**e conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have participated by helping the person who r***d her remove her jeans, therefore implying consent. The following day, women in the parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Wear your denim and tag and !

We are just two days away from the Family Justice Center Self-Defense class with Bill Perkins! Join us this Saturday April 20th!

The event will teach tactics to help participants defend themselves in various situations. This class is free of charge and for 18+ only. A waiver provided by the City of Johnson City must be signed upon arrival. RSVP is required to participate. There are limited spots available for this class. Please follow the QR Code or the link below to RSVP for the self defense class!

https://forms.gle/WHopY3ujmQ9ar7m78

If you have any questions, please call (423) 722-3720 or email [email protected]

Happy Thoughtful Thursday! Today, we are sharing how the Family Justice Center helps victims feel welcomed and comfortable during their visit!

Pictured are the FJC's four dens! These are private rooms that mimic a comfortable living room feel. Victims are welcomed to these private and safe rooms to allow the staff to complete a needs assessment and offer them additional services that best fits their needs. We also have a children's den to allow your little ones to play during your visit!

We are open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Located at 196 Montgomery Street, Suite 10 Johnson City, TN. No appointments are necessary and all services are free! Please call (423) 722-3720 or email [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to learn more about the services we offer!

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We would like to encourage everyone to share their favorite songs that uplift and inspire them! The Family Justice Center would like to recognize the song "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor as a part of our empowerment playlist! This encouraging song discusses the beauty of personal journey and strength.

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Please join FTAAAD and many other local health and safety organizations at a Community Health Fair on Saturday, April 20 from 10:00 am till 2:00 pm at the Memorial Park Community Center in Johnson City.

Organized by the Langston Health Equity Task Force, attendees can also access free mammograms, hearing and dental screenings, and the ballad Health mobile clinic will be on site as well.

See the attached flyer for more details, and don't forget to stop by our table and say hello!

Help us spread the word! On April 18, 2024, there will be a free legal advice clinic in Kingsport, TN.

NOTE: This happens every third Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m. and is a joint venture of the Kingsport Bar Association and Legal Aid of East Tennessee