Criminal Justice students at South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) gained real-world insight into the challenges faced by domestic violence victims during a recent special guest presentation. The event was part of the Criminal Investigations course taught by Criminal Justice Instructor Teresa McCook.
Eva Hope, Community Outreach & Training Coordinator for the Southwest Georgia Victims Assistance Alliance, Inc., served as the guest speaker. In addition to outlining the range of services her organization provides to victims and the broader community, Hope led students through an interactive domestic violence simulation. The exercise walked participants through a variety of realistic scenarios faced by individuals attempting to leave abusive situations and access support services.
“This simulation gave students the opportunity to step into the shoes of domestic violence victims and understand the complex decisions they are forced to make in order to stay safe,” said McCook. “It’s an eye-opening experience that not only raises awareness, but also prepares future officers for the real-life situations they may encounter on the job.”
The hands-on exercise helped students grasp the emotional and logistical barriers victims face—and highlighted the importance of empathy, resource awareness, and effective response strategies within the criminal justice field.
“This was an excellent tool to open my students’ eyes and ears to what victims go through,” McCook added. “I’m grateful to Eva for bringing her expertise to our classroom.”
For more information about SGTC’s Criminal Justice program, contact Teresa McCook at 229-931-6940 or visit www.southgatech.edu.