I am responding to the Dec. 2 front-page article “Some allege VOICe unrest.”

I feel that article was very disrespectful to people in this community who use Victim Outreach Intervention Center services.

These victims get the best counseling, and somebody is available 24 hours for those who need someone to talk with. The staff is well trained and very helpful, whether it is 3 p.m. or 2 a.m.

I have been getting help from VOICe for about six years. I started receiving services while I was hospitalized, and I have received respect and help with anything I’ve needed since then.

Assault often doesn’t stop once it begins. It is something that has to be dealt with pretty much on a day-to-day basis. As far as I am concerned, VOICe gives support and fills the needs of victims to the best of its ability.

I can’t imagine a VOICe client feeling safer going to her abuser than to VOICe, as was alleged in the article. I feel the people who were quoted in this article are for some reason trying to bring VOICe down. I don’t think they even thought about their comments’ impact on us clients.

The people in question talked about fear with VOICe. However, VOICe does everything in its power to keep its clients safe and protect their confidentiality.

Those who actually know about a person who has been abused know the real fears that a victim has. No way is there a fear of VOICe.

People go to VOICe for safety because VOICe does everything it can to help its victims. Also, if a victim has children, the children are helped as well.

I don’t understand why some people would try to blackball an agency that helps so many people who are at the lowest point in their lives.