Stephanie Danford and Missy Trisler, longtime victims’ advocates for the Noble Family Violence Council, quietly and efficiently do heroic work for victims of domestic and child abuse, older adult abuse, and domestic violence throughout Noble County every day. They are, by definition, unsung heroes and deserve to be recognized for the work they do.

Stephanie Danford is the director and a registered advocate. She has worked for the Council since September 15 of 1998 when it was established by Six County (now Allwell Health Services). Missy Trisler, fiscal officer and registered advocate, has worked for the Council since September 9 of 2002.

Danford and Trisler work with the Noble County Court, the Noble County Common Pleas Court, the Noble County Prosecutor, the Noble County Sheriff’s Office, and the Noble County Department of Job and Family Services (Children’s Services). They are referred to cases of abuse and violence, usually by the Noble County Sheriff’s Office, and then file petitions on behalf of victims through the court system.

If a victim needs to be removed from their residence for their own protection, Danford and Trisler work tirelessly to lodge them in a safe house until the courts make other arrangements.

The Noble Family Violence Council is funded through a grant from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. “We have consistently had our budget slashed by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office,” stated Danford. “We find ways to make do because what we do is a way of life for Missy and I.”

The Noble County Commissioners supplement the Council’s budge twice a year. “Stephanie and Missy were worried about losing their office space so we made arrangements with Sheriff Jason Mackie and they will be moving permanently and rent-free to the Noble County Jail,” stated Allen Fraley, President of the Commissioners.

The Noble Family Violence Council has been its own 501C3 Corporation since 2008 and is able to receive donations from any entity wanting to help them in their important work.

“We have over 1,100 cases in our files. A lot of our victims are harmed by recidivist predators,” Trisler stated. “We’ve been known to stay with our victim’s day and night until we are certain of their safety.”