Adult Advocacy Centers, Planning and Prototype Design

The Adult Advocacy Centers (AACs), an Ohio based organization, is pioneering programs that provide holistic, trauma-informed and multi-sensory forensic and support services specifically designed for adult crime victims and witnesses with disabilities. The group works with disability, victim services and the criminal justice system to improve access and equity for adult crime victims with disabilities and older adults.

JCJ was tasked with planning and developing design of a prototypical facility that would have the rigor to respond to the requirements of the program and the needs of clients but would be flexible enough to be adapted to sites for ten regional facilities across the state.

The facility would support the needs of highly trained professionals who perform forensic interviews and collect evidence in cases that include assault, sexual violence, domestic violence and human trafficking. Multidisciplinary teams include law enforcement professionals, trained forensics interviewers, prosecutors, victim advocates, medical and mental professionals, survivors, guardians, local hospitals, and disability service agencies.

Through the physical design of the Centers, JCJ focused on creating an equitable and accessible environment that supports the comfort and safety of victims. Our team engaged in extensive research on trauma-informed design in order to address a full range of aspects of facility function. The team looked deeply at removing barriers to access, creating a reassuring environment that would provide a sense of privacy, safety and comfort, spaces that would support the technical needs of medical and forensic professionals and creating a comfortable workplace for individuals engaging with clients.