Photograph by Desiree Germick
Elizabeth Hannibal pauses and smiles at the Middle Way House. She explains the importance of educating the community about preventing sexual assault and domestic violence.
Elizabeth Hannibal's at-attention posture softens slightly as she puts into words why she chose her line of work. She sits in the dimly lit consultation room, which has seen countless women and children jarred by domestic violence. Their pain and possibilities splayed across the worn armchairs and children's toys have only Hannibal's calming voice to guide them.
Hannibal, the 24-year-old crisis intervention services coordinator at the Middle Way House, cannot imagine another occupation. Her multi-tasking role for the nonprofit domestic violence shelter is always evolving. From taking calls from rape victims to organizing volunteer orientation programs, more can always be done toward creating social change.
Hannibal doesn't see the job as overwhelming. For her it's the little things that matter most.
"The progress we see in the children we serve," she says, "the mom who gets a job, who moves into her first apartment for the first time in her entire life, those are the everyday things that make my work worthwhile."
She has worked at Middle Way for the past six years. Her passion for empowering victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse makes Hannibal an irreplaceable asset to the shelter.
"I've worked with Liz since 2001," says Bobbie Summers, events coordinator and grant writer for Middle Way. "She really values others' perceptions and perspectives. She's a great teacher and communicator."
Hannibal's compassion was evident throughout her childhood in Cleveland. She said she was always interested in helping others. In high school she worked in daycare, at IU and she earned a bachelor's degree in psychology. She heard about the Middle Way House during her sophomore year.
"I wanted to volunteer somewhere, and I was always interested in crisis intervention and helping people," she recalls. "I saw that Middle Way House offered that."
She began her volunteer work on the crisis line. She took calls from individuals in abusive relationships. She answered questions and discussed services available through Middle Way. She encouraged victims to decide what to do about the abuse.
"We work on the empowerment model," Hannibal says. "We always want the women and the men we work with to make their own choices."
Hannibal knows that statistically victims are less likely to press charges or leave a relationship if they feel forced into those decisions. Soon after working on the crisis line, Hannibal began volunteering as an on-scene advocate (OSA). OSAs wear beepers all day, every day. When a sexual assault victim comes into the hospital or police station, an OSA is notified and meets with the victim to offer support.
"They get up at 2 in the morning and spend five hours in the emergency room with someone they have never met before," Hannibal explains. "With that comes great passion and dedication to working with people, wanting to make change. That really drew me in."
She has also worked at the Rise, a Middle Way service that provides transitional housing for women and children, and was a case manager for the shelter. After graduating from IU in 2003 she became a full-time employee at Middle Way.
"I've seen some pretty amazing, incredible women come through shelter and succeed, start a new life, really create a life for their children," Hannibal says.
Currently she runs the 24-hour crisis line, coordinates the rape crisis center, works on campus advocacy, is the on-call person for all sexual assault victims, and organizes volunteers.
While her 4-month-old son babbles in another room with a co-worker, Hannibal explains that Middle Way is always looking for and training new volunteers. Many opportunities are available to help victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. Volunteers can work on the crisis line, become OSAs, work with children at the Rise, write grants for the shelter, and assist with legal services.
"There are a lot of myths surrounding sexual violence," she says. "This is not just a women's issue."
Hannibal uses education, communication, and empowerment to combat the stereotypes and embarrassment attached to domestic abuse and sexual assault victims. Hannibal's commitment to the Middle Way House is inspirational. While her vision of changing society is no easy task, she reminds herself of the everyday successes.
"If we help one person," she says, "if we provide services for one person or help one person change their life, then we've met a goal. We've done something to at least begin social change."
Desiree Germick can be reached at dkgermic@indiana.edu.