Archive for the ‘Domestic Violence Topics’ Category

When she walks through the door of Safe Harbor for the first time, she is scared.  She is broken and bruised, both figuratively and literally.  She is exhausted, weary from walking on eggshells and accepting the blame.  She is hopeless and not even sure how to search for hope – in her world, hope is at best a distant memory or perhaps something that has never existed at all.  She is stuck in the cycle of abuse, the pattern of being controlled and degraded and harmed by the one person who vowed to love her unconditionally.  As she holds her baby in her arms, she is not sure what the future will hold.  She wonders if she has made the right decision.  She doesn’t really believe that she has what it takes to pick up the pieces, to make it on her own.  She is unaware of her own beauty, her own strength.  She is a shell of who she once was, of who she could be.  She is insecure.  She is terrified.  She is a victim.

When she walks out of the door of Safe Harbor for the final time, she is starting a new journey.  She is healing, one day at a time.  She may not have every problem solved or every question answered.  But, she is aware of the steps that she has already taken and the steps that she has yet to take.  She is liberated from the oppressive power that used to control her every move.  Now, she is in control of her own choices, her own decisions.  She is becoming aware of the talents and skills that she has to offer in this world.  She is learning how to be a parent, and her baby now sleeps soundly through the night.  She is able to look in the mirror and smile at the woman who looks back at her.  She holds her head up proudly as she walks into her new apartment for the first time.  She is still not sure what the future will hold, but she is hopeful with each new day.  She is free.  She is strong. She is a survivor.

By Bobbi Mason, MA-Transitional Housing Program Director, Safe Harbor

Safe Harbor was granted funds from the Office of Violence Against Women in early Fall 2009 to begin a Transitional Housing Program for victims of domestic violence.  In January 2010, Safe Harbor began to serve the clients in our Shelter Programs by offering them the opportunity to participate in the newly formed Transitional Housing Program that serves 15 families within the 4-county radius that we serve (Anderson, Oconee, Pickens, and Greenville).  In this program, participants can choose from living in a housing unit provided by the Upstate Homeless Coalition, or they can choose to live in an apartment of their choice.  In both phases of the program, the participants will receive rental assistance payments from Safe Harbor on a decreasing scale.  For example: Safe Harbor will pay 100% of their total amount of rent and utilities if they live in an apartment, for 6 consecutive months; then Safe Harbor will pay 75% of the total amount, and the participant will be responsible for 25% of the total amount of her rent and utilities for the next consecutive six months.  The transitional housing program will continue assisting the participant with her rent and utilities in this manner, gradually decreasing the amount of assistance each six months until the client is responsible for paying the total amount of her rent and utilities in full after a 2 year period. 

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by Rebecca Callaham, Executive Director, Safe Harbor

From the Greenville News – August 8, 2010

Jessica Anderson. Natasha Kerns. Christine Crane: Three women who lost their lives this summer in Greenville County. Not to an illness, cancer or a horrible accident. Each one lost her life because the man who was supposed to love her allegedly took it from her. Each one silenced forever by domestic violence.

In South Carolina, where we promote family values and Southern hospitality, we are literally loving each other to death. South Carolina ranked No. 8 last year for the number of women killed by men. The previous year, South Carolina ranked No. 2. This is hardly an improvement, as South Carolina has consistently ranked in the Top 10.

According to the S.C. Department of Public Safety, Greenville County ranks No. 1 in the state for family violence victimization, No. 2 for domestic violence victimization, No. 2 for domestic violence aggravated assault and No. 2 for domestic violence simple assault. Read the rest of this entry »

by Julie Meredith, Director of Volunteers & Communication, Safe Harbor

Faith communities and churches provide a social network for individuals and families, comfort for the grieving, hope for those who are depressed, redemption for sinners, and care for the sick.  When a church member is diagnosed with cancer, he/she is upheld in the prayers of the congregation and supported with encouraging cards.  When a family in the church loses a loved one, church members bring meals and send flowers.  In many churches, support groups and counseling are available for people who are dealing with addictions, grief, divorce, or other concerns.

But, what kind of support does a person receive from her congregation when she reveals that she is being abused by her spouse or partner?  After working at Safe Harbor for the past two years, I honestly cannot answer this question.  It is difficult to know what a victim of domestic violence might experience when she turns to her congregation for help.  I have learned that the kind of support that a victim receives tends to vary from congregation to congregation.  Congregational support for victims depends on the congregation’s leadership, its membership, its theology and beliefs, and its understanding of domestic violence.

Here are the stories of two victims: Read the rest of this entry »