A Safe Place Family Justice Center
A Safe Place Family Justice Center hosts many services survivors of domestic and sexual violence, stalking, elder abuse, and sexual exploitation and trafficking might need, all under one roof.
The following services are available:
- Speak to someone knowledgeable about domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or abuse against older adults and people with disabilities
- Discuss ways to stay safe
- Find out about housing resources
- Apply for protective orders using the video courtroom
- Make a report to law enforcement
- Apply for self-sufficiency benefits with the Department of Human Services
- Learn about the court process or speak with legal advice or representation
- Attend a support group or receive counseling
Visitors are welcome with an appointment Monday-Thursday from 8am-4pm and Friday from 8am-1pm. Visitors can meet with a confidential advocate to decide which services or service providers they’d like to work with. Many of our staff speak English and Spanish, and interpretation services will be provided. If you have questions about visiting A Safe Place, call our 24-hour Crisis and Support line at (888) 654-2288 or message our confidential chat.
Family Justice Center Model
The Family Justice Center Model is designed to make it easier for survivors to access and navigate the many different systems they may encounter while trying to stay safe. Family justice centers across the country partner with local service providers under the same roof – increasing collaboration, knowledge sharing, and efficiency between different systems, providing a holistic response to survivors. Each family justice center is a little different, as they are shaped by individual community needs.
Information and research gathered by the Alliance for Hope International show the Family Justice Center Model helps communities reduce domestic violence homicides, increase victim safety, empower victims, and reduce fear and anxiety for survivors and their children (Casey Gwinn and Gael Strack. Hope for Hurting Families: Creating Family Justice Centers Across America. Volcano Press, 2006). This model was identified as a best practice in the field of domestic violence intervention and prevention services by the United States Department of Justice (Gwinn and Strack, 2006).
Testimonials
“I love the comfort and the support of this place. I feel as though the pain and painful experiences that I have had are really and truly seen. Before this, I felt like the hurts/wounds were just made-up, like I was making a big deal out of little things. But now I know that telling the truth is not making a big deal out of nothing.”
“I love how kind and caring everyone I’ve met has been. I feel very welcome and not judged, which is huge for me. It took a long time to seek help because others in my life haven’t believed me or been supportive and to truly feel safe here emotionally has been very healing and I highly recommend your services to friends.”
A Safe Place features a video court room where survivors can apply for protective orders without experiencing courtroom intimidation.
Front entrance to A Safe Place Family Justice Center.
Survivors can connect and enjoy coffee from the visitors kitchen while waiting for appointments.
Survivors can meet privately and confidentially with advocates and other case managers.
A woman plays together with a child in A Safe Place playroom.
