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Speaking during the commission’s last work session, 2nd Judicial District Attorney General Barry Staubus described the center as “an essential tool� in prosecuting cases of rape, child abuse and domestic violence.

“I believe that without the branch house, I could not prosecute child abuse cases or rape cases or domestic violence cases,� Staubus said. “It’s that important to what we do. It runs on a shoestring budget, but it does very important, cutting-edge work.�

Founded in 2018, the nonprofit brings together law enforcement, prosecutors, counselors and victim advocates under one roof to offer coordinated care and legal support. The center operates out of a donated facility in Blountville, Staubus said, and also provides private forensic exam rooms in ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ and Kingsport, with a third room coming soon to Bristol.

Branch House Executive Director Lennee Hendrix told commissioners the organization coordinates all three of the region’s response teams for domestic violence, sexual assault and community crises, and continues to expand its services each year.

“We don’t stagnate. We grow and meet the evolving needs of victims,� Hendrix said. “We’ve become a benchmark program, recognized at the state and national level.�

Hendrix added that Branch House was recently tapped to serve as the central location for a multi-agency human trafficking operation that included the FBI and TBI. The center provided on-site advocates, forensic nurses and intervention specialists to help victims who were brought in during the operation.

Staubus said the Branch House helps reduce costly court cases by preventing cases of domestic violence and homicides. He said his office alone spent $200,000 to prepare for the Megan Boswell trial.

“One of the things is about saving money on homicides. You see the number reductions in homicides since the Branch House coming into existence. Now, I can’t say for sure that it was a cause, but I have a feeling that it’s not a coincidence,� Staubus said.

The Branch House has previously received funding from Kingsport and Bristol, as well as from the county. The nonprofit also relies on grants and donations.

According to a news release from the organization, Sullivan County has ranked among the highest in Tennessee for sexual assault rates—first in the state in both 2020 and 2021, and second from 2016 through 2019. Branch House works to provide resources for victims through their SANE Program.

The program includes two full-time Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs), eight on-call SANEs, and three medical directors, offering 24/7 access to care in a private setting. Through a partnership with Ballad Health, medical forensic exams are conducted at Branch House, ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Medical Center and Holston Valley Medical Center. The exams are free of charge.

The release also said that Branch House is the only community-based SANE program within 100 miles, the only Family Justice Center in Tennessee with a dedicated SART Coordinator and the only center in the state that serves as both a Family Justice Center and a Sexual Assault Center.

Branch House also helps survivors enroll in the Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program, which provides a legal substitute address to protect their location from abusers.

Branch House shares data

During Thursday’s county commission meeting, Hendrix shared data showing that domestic violence-related homicides have steadily declined since the center opened in 2018.

Citing a study by the American Medical Association, Hendrix said smaller communities with limited access to services experience higher rates of domestic violence and related homicides. She said that from 2013 to 2015, 100% of homicides in Sullivan County were domestic violence-related. From 2020 to 2023, that figure dropped to 27%, a decline she attributes in part to coordinated, trauma-informed services provided by Branch House.

“This team effort, the collaboration is what is causing this decrease in domestic violence,� she said.

Hendrix said Branch House is requesting 12% of the average cost to prosecute a single homicide in Tennessee, which is about $401,000, according to the state comptroller.

She also pointed to a 24% decrease in domestic violence reports the year after Branch House opened, as survivors gained access to emergency shelter, financial aid and legal support.

“We’re not solely responsible for this decrease,� Hendrix said. “It’s the coordination and teamwork with law enforcement, advocates and medical professionals that makes the difference.�

Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy echoed those sentiments, calling Branch House “tremendously important� for law enforcement and the community.

“They fill in the gaps where we can’t like transportation, housing, safety planning,� Cassidy said. “These victims often have nothing. Branch House gives them what they need to survive, recover and move forward safely.�

Cassidy and Staubus both serve on the Branch House board along with Kingsport and Bristol police chiefs. Hendrix said the center has served almost 2,000 victims since its founding and sees an average of 300 clients annually.

Also, at Thursday’s meeting, the commission rejected a resolution that would set aside $200,000 for nonprofit organizations, which is a $100,000 decrease from last year’s budget. The resolution would exclude fire and emergency services, and fund nonprofits on a case-by-case basis.

The resolution received 11 no votes, 10 yes votes and one abstention.