Safe Harbor, Inc. :: A Safe Home, When Home Isn't Safe

Services I Counseling Information I Safety Plans I "You Might Be in Danger If . . ." I

Safe Harbor Services

Crisis Counseling ::: The shelter telephone number is a hotline that is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for crisis calls, counseling and information.

Emergency Shelter ::: We operate as an emergency shelter for abused women and their children who need a safe place to go. The maximum stay is 45 days. Entrances and exits are controlled and the house is staffed 24 hours a day. The police respond quickly to our calls.

Basic Necessities ::: The shelter provides food, laundry facilities, and toilet articles for all residents. A supply of donated clothing is maintained for those residents who arrive with only what they are wearing and little else. All of these services are provided to the residents free of charge.

An Emotionally Supportive Environment ::: The shelter offers a nonjudgmental atmosphere where residents can plan their futures. Staff and volunteers listen to the women, encourage them, believe them, believe in them, and let them know they are valuable people who do not deserve abuse. In addition, residents support other residents. Many express intense relief and gratification that others share their problems that they are not, after all, alone.

Counseling ::: When a woman enters the shelter, she is assigned an individual counselor who will work with her on her counseling needs and goals during her stay at the shelter. Also, while residing at the shelter, the woman is expected to participate in the full shelter program. This includes evening support groups, individual and family counseling, and living skills educational groups. The shelter employs one licensed professional counselor, one master's level counselor, and one bachelor's level counselor, who provide all counseling services and groups. These services are all free of charge for Safe Harbor clients.

Emergency Room Advocacy ::: Shelter Volunteer Advocates and staff are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer calls from emergency room medical staff when battering is the cause of injury. These volunteer advocates play a vital roll in crisis intervention and education for abused women.

Referral Services ::: Shelter staff helps provide access to doctors, dentists, attorneys, personal and family counselors, alcohol and drug counselors, and agencies and groups which can help them reach their goals.

Advocacy ::: Shelter staff work on the behalf of residents. Examples of advocacy include: encouraging apartment managers to rent to the residents, seeking free or low-cost legal assistance, enlisting assistance of the police, accompanying residents to Family Court Emergency Hearings and/or Criminal Court Domestic Violence hearings.

Children's Services ::: The children of the residents are provided with an opportunity for recreation and developmental activities. They are also included in family counseling.

Community Support Groups ::: Support groups for victims of domestic violence are available for women who want these services but do not need shelter, and for continuing support to women who have been in the shelter. Groups are also available for court ordered batterers.

Educational Prevention Programs ::: Programs have been written and approved by the Greenville County School District which are designed to educate our local high school students to recognize domestic abuse and abusive behavior in dating relationships. As students are shown the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships they also learn positive and non-violent methods of conflict resolution.

Community Education ::: Speakers are available to discuss a range of topics including sessions about the dynamics of family violence, the services and needs of the shelter and training workshops for professionals who come in contact with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence including law enforcement officers, medical professionals, educators and members of the judicial system.