DC Safe, Washington DC, USA

From the Global Women's Network

DC Safe, Washington DC, USA
Logo:
Street address:	733 8th Street, SE Suite A
City:	Washington DC
Country:	United States
Location:	Loading map...
Location coordinates:	38° 54' 10" N, 77° 1' 58" WLatitude: 38.902914 Longitude: -77.032685
Executive Director:	Elisabeth Olds
Contact number:	(202) 408-1476
Contact email:	info@dcsafe.org
Website:	http://dcsafe.org/
Twitter:	http://twitter.com/dc_safe
Facebook:	http://www.facebook.com/DCSAFE
Target:	Women
Organization type:	Local NGO (operating at the community level)
Sectors:	Violence Against Women
Year founded/registered:	2006
Annual budget:	USD1,752,421

Summary

SAFE, Inc. provides crisis intervention and advocacy services to over 5,000 domestic violence victims each year in the DC Metro Area.

About

SAFE, Inc. began as part of the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 1997 with one advocate and became an independent organization in 2006. Since then, SAFE has become a leading force in the fight against domestic violence in the District of Columbia. Focusing on victim safety from the moment an incident occurs, SAFE provide the necessary support for victims to become survivors by using the Court system as well as government and private social services to rebuild their lives. Through their 24-hour Response Line and Court-based services, SAFE provides valuable information and tangible services such as immediate crisis shelter within one hour of a violence incident, transportation to a safe location, legal information and more to survivors in order to help them break the cycle of violence, reduce the likelihood of future abuse, and decrease the risk of homicide.

Activities

SAFE is DC’s only 24-hour crisis intervention agency for domestic violence victims providing face-to-face support and resources at any hour of the day or night. Our mission is to ensure the safety and self-determination of domestic violence survivors in Washington, DC through emergency services, court advocacy and system reform. SAFE’s first priority is the safety of the individuals and families who seek assistance. Once they are out of harm’s way, victims can make a plan for a stable future. Our programs work with each victim on their individual needs to help them become a survivor.

Advocates work with victims to ensure that the legal remedies they seek enhance their overall safety, and to provide tangible resources, information and referrals within one hour of a violent incident and then as the survivor’s situation changes over time. SAFE offers the following services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: safety planning; legal information; immediate crisis shelter; help securing the victim’s home; assistance for food, bus fare, and supplies for children; legal information and assistance filing for a Civil Protection Order; referral to a pro bono attorney; public benefits and social services referrals; court accompaniment for victims; emotional support; and assistance with any other portion of the court or social services system. All of SAFE's services are offered in English and Spanish.

SAFE gives top priority to victims who are at high risk for serious assault or homicide at the hands of their abusers. SAFE conducts a risk assessment based on this research with every client that we work with, and offers specialized services for those who are identified as being at high risk for serious injury or homicide through a network of contacts at government and nonprofit agencies established by the Mayor's Office of the District of Columbia's Office of Victim Services. These contacts may lead to relocation into safe housing, enhanced counseling services for the victim and her children, and better communication of ongoing violations of probation and parole by the offender in order to decrease the abuser’s access to the victim.

SAFE advocates and volunteers also ride along with officers in areas where domestic violence is the most prevalent to offer services directly at the scene of the crime.