In June 1985, Artemis Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence was established as Artemis House. Founded by a small group of women, often working without pay, Artemis was to provide services beyond the traditional housing and safety offered by shelters.

The founders saw that victims fleeing domestic violence, in addition to needing a safe place, also need help and guidance through the often confusing and sometimes intimidating legal system. They also need information about domestic violence, and how it affects the individual and children in a household. Because many victims of domestic violence are isolated, the agency provides referrals to other community services able to assist victims.

Artemis has become a community resource for creating a coordinated response to domestic violence. Because all systems must work together to protect survivors and hold batterers accountable, Artemis formed The Family Violence Collaborative in 1993. This Collaborative has brought together law enforcement, criminal justice, child protection and health care professionals to develop protocols of response.