Visitation Center for Domestic Violence Survivors

If you have been referred to the Visitation Center, please contact the Center at 443-844-8931 as soon as possible. If no one answers, leave a message and someone will return your call.

Domestic violence (DV), often referred to as intimate partner violence (IPV), is a pattern of behavior used by one person in a relationship to gain power and control over another. The pattern can include physical violence, verbal threats, sexual, emotional, and/or economic abuse. Domestic violence affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men. Children are often direct and indirect victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence is not confined to any one socio-economic, ethnic, religious, racial, gender, or age group.
Domestic violence is not limited to heterosexual relationships.
The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically across relationships.

Baltimore City Visitation Center (BCVC)

As one component of a larger community response to domestic violence and its associated crimes; i.e. sexual assault, stalking, dating violence and child sexual abuse, Baltimore City’s Visitation Center (BCVC) provides a safe location that promotes healthy interactions during the exchange of children between parents or during on-site visitation between parents with their children. BCVC also serves as an access point for referring families to additional supportive services that may help facilitate a path to healing. Staff at the Center are committed to acknowledging and respecting the unique experiences of each individual served.

What services does the Visitation Center provide?

The primary purpose of the Center is to ensure the SAFETY of all parties. The Center does not provide custody recommendations or therapeutic services. Parents do not come into contact with one another while at the Center due to several safety precautions, including but not limited to, staggered arrivals and departures, separate entrances, and onsite security.

The Center also serves as a direct access point for survivors to legal services in divorce, custody, and visitation matters. These services are provided in partnership with the House of Ruth of Maryland Marjorie Cook Foundation Legal Clinic. The Center can also assist with access to additional community resources as needed.

Are there any fees for services?

At this time, there are no fees for services provided.

How are services accessed at the Visitation Center?

BCVC may accept client referrals from a variety of sources including court orders, domestic violence agencies and hospital-based programs, mental health professionals, attorneys, and self-referrals. A Two steps Referral Process is followed*.

Protective order should include a referral to the Visitation Center
- Example: “referred to Visitation Center for supervised visitation” OR “referred to Visitation Center for monitored exchange".
Referral form filled out and sent to the clerk’s office - Include a copy in the court file and distribute a copy to each party.

* Non- court-ordered referrals would submit a referral form directly to Center staff after ensuring agreement by both parties to voluntarily participate.

If referred to the Center through a court order, it is requested that both parents contact the Center within 10 business days to begin the intake process (intakes are conducted separately). The intake process can take as long as a week to complete and is required before scheduling can occur.

What types of cases are considered for services at the Visitation Center?

The Center will review referrals for cases involving domestic violence. Domestic violence, also referred to as battering, refers to physical abuse, psychological abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, stalking, or sexual abuse that takes place in the context of an intimate (or previously intimate) relationship and can involve a pattern of purposeful and assaultive behaviors that can be used to maintain control and compliance of the victim and threatens the safety of the victim and/or child.

Center staff will need to know the reasoning for the referral and safety-related information behind the decision. This should be reflected in the notes section on the referral form.

Supervised Visitation

Visits take place on a weekly basis and last for one hour.
Visits generally occur in a stocked playroom with many toys, games, books, and more.
Visits are observed by a trained monitor who watches and listens for safety concerns and will intervene, redirect or terminate as deemed appropriate to maintain physical and emotional safety for the child.

Monitored Exchanges

Monitored exchanges are provided on a weekly basis for overnight weekend visits.
The Center also offers same day exchanges.
The actual visit is off-site and unsupervised by Center staff.
Children are transferred between parents at the Center on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons for weekend visits. Day exchanges may also be accommodated with approval from the Program Director.

What is the status of the Visitation Center due to COVID-19?

BCVC has resumed in-person supervised visitation and monitored exchange services and will accept referrals for cases involving intimate partner violence, stalking, dating violence, and/or child sexual abuse.

Service Modifications:

The use of Center’s playroom activities has been modified
Service intakes conducted virtually, by phone, or in-person.

For more information on the status of other Baltimore City services click here.

Contacting the Center

For those interested in using our services, please call 443-844-8931.

Hours of operation
As of March 1, 2022, supervised visitation and exchange services are scheduled on a weekly basis on the following days and times*:

Friday: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

*Tentative operating hours may be subject to change based upon families’ needs and operational capacity.

Our Partners

Baltimore City Circuit and District Courts

Baltimore City Child Abuse Center

Baltimore City Health Department

Baltimore City Police

Baltimore City School Police

Baltimore City Sheriffs Office

Baltimore City States Attorney’s Office

Center for Urban Families