Project Woman 2021 Chrysalis Award

By: Katherine E 

Project Woman presented its 2021 Chrysalis Award to Denise Jones, a Victim Services Sergeant with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

Jones was recognized for her outstanding advocacy work on behalf of survivors of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence. 

Jones has been in law enforcement since 2000 and in the Intimate Partner Crime Unit since 2017. Her unit receives calls for domestic violence, stalking, strangulation, human trafficking, and protection order violations and works closely with Project Woman on cases. She is also the department’s LGBTQ+ Liaison and a member of the Special Operations Team. She consults for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Department of Justice Office on Violence against Women (OVW) on intimate partner and LGBTQ+ Issues.

“I enjoy working with Project Woman because it is an invaluable asset and resource in our community,” Jones noted. “Speaking from personal experience, I can say the staff are some of the best individuals I have ever worked with. I have thankfully been able to learn a great deal from them.”

Intimate partner violence is a serious issue in Springfield and Clark County. In 2021 alone, the Sheriff’s Office handled over 700 calls, while Project Woman received 1,236 calls to its Crisis Hotline and provided 8,504 shelter bed nights. Recent local and national news stories have highlighted the grave danger that women, children, and law enforcement can face during incidents of domestic violence.

 To ensure that the Sheriff’s Office employs evidence-based best practices, Jones has participated in extensive specialized training. She is known for her victim-centered, trauma-informed approach to every victim/survivor. “We don’t care if it is your first or 50th time calling for service,” she states, “we are here to treat you with respect and dignity and help to the best of our ability.” 

 As one of Jones’ nominators stated, “Denise uses her voice to uplift the voice of victims. And she works tirelessly to make sure that voice is heard LOUD and CLEAR!”