When you call our 24/7 line, we’re available to answer any questions you might have about the services that we offer. If you are interested in seeking services, we will complete a brief intake with you over the phone.

If you are seeking emergency shelter, the phone intake will include questions that help us assess the current level of danger you are experiencing in your marriage or relationship. The phone intake will include:

• Basic questions, including your name, most recent address, safe phone number, etc.;
• Questions about the abuse you have experienced from your spouse/partner, both recently and in the past;
• Questions that help us to assess the level of danger you are currently experiencing;
• If you have children who will come with you into shelter, we will ask for their ages and genders, in order to determine if adequate bed space is available;
• We will ask if you have any needs for special accommodations due to physical limitations or medical conditions;
• We have shelter locations in Greenville, Anderson and Oconee Counties. We will ask which shelter location you prefer;
• Once the phone intake is complete, we will let you know if you are eligible for our shelter program, if we have bed availability in one of our shelters, discuss next steps for arriving at shelter, or offer other community resources as needed. We will also offer safety planning tips as needed.
• Learn more about our emergency shelter.

If you are seeking community-based services (counseling, advocacy, assistance with an Order of Protection petition, domestic abuse education classes, parenting classes), you will complete brief intake online or over the phone. 

• Basic questions, including your name, most recent address, safe phone number or email address, etc.;
• Questions about the abuse you have experienced from your spouse/partner, both recently and in the past;
• Once the intake is complete, a member of our staff will contact you within three (3) business days to follow up with you about the services you are requesting and set up an appointment to meet with you. In order for us to successfully reach you, please be sure to share safe phone number (with voicemail) or safe email address with us during the intake.

Safe Harbor’s services are completely voluntary. We understand that survivors of domestic abuse face many obstacles and difficult decisions that may influence when you are ready to seek our services. You are not obligated to start services or to continue services for a certain period of time. If you call us and choose not to follow-through with services, you can call us back when you are ready. If you begin services and are not able to continue, you can call us back to continue services when you are able.

No. The information you share with us at Safe Harbor is confidential. If you have been harmed by your spouse or partner, it is your choice on whether to contact law enforcement or not. We understand that survivors of domestic abuse may or may not choose to report their abuse due to many complex factors.

At the beginning of our online intake forms and phone intakes, we will let you know that, while our services are confidential, we do have some confidentiality limitations due to mandatory reporting requirements. If a caller discloses the abuse or neglect of a child or a vulnerable adult (an adult who is unable to care for themselves independently), we are required to make a report to the Department of Social Services. If a caller discloses that they have plans to harm themselves or someone else, we are required to make a report to emergency services or law enforcement. We will let you know that it is your choice what to share during your phone intake with Safe Harbor.

Yes. At Safe Harbor, we understand that domestic abuse isn’t just about physical abuse. Domestic abuse includes a pattern of behaviors in which one person in an intimate partner relationship or marriage is exerting power and coercive control over their spouse or partner. Our services are available to anyone who is experiencing power and coercive control in their relationship or marriage. Learn more about domestic abuse and types of abuse.

Yes. Many people may not identify as a “victim” or “survivor” but still realize that something is not right in their marriage or relationship. If you are not sure whether Safe Harbor’s services are right for you, please know that you can contact us to find out. If you feel that it is possible that you are experiencing abuse in your relationship, it is likely that you are. If we determine that other community resources may be a better fit for your needs, we can also make appropriate referrals.

Learn more about domestic abuse and the different types of abuse.

Yes. Statistics show that one in four women and one in nine men experience abuse from an intimate partner during their lifetime. We recognize that men also experience abuse from their spouses and partners.

Our community-based services (counseling, advocacy, assistance with Order of Protection petitions, etc.) are available to both male and female survivors of domestic abuse. Our emergency shelter locations can accommodate survivors who identify as female and their dependent children (girls and boys, ages 0-17). We can also assist male survivors needing shelter through partnerships with other shelter programs and/or a hotel stay.

No. The person who needs our services needs to contact us directly. Participation in our services is voluntary. We are unable to mandate or coerce someone to participate. We understand that each survivor of domestic abuse is an expert in their own experience and can make choices to seek services at a time that is safe and right for them.

If you know someone who needs our services, you can contact our 24/7 line to learn more about what we do so that you can let your friend/family member/co-worker know and encourage them to contact us when they are ready. You can also offer to support them by being with them when they call us or offering help in other ways. Learn more about how you can provide support to someone who is experiencing domestic abuse.