The Guest Speakers:
Adrienne Devine Lutz, a therapist who worked as a Counselor at SafePlace, opened the door of insight by enlightening us on her experience as a confidant for the people who entered the doors. She gave us insight to the heart behind the people working there and the refreshment that can be offered, not only to the people staying at SafePlace and using their resources but also to the people who choose to make people a priority over salary and work at SafePlace.
Katy Haynes, a survivor of domestic violence, gave us a first hand look, not only at the services that were offered to her at SafePlace but a graphic visual of what could have been her last night alive.
The Message:
Both woman describe SafePlace as being an oasis in a dry dessert of resources for woman, men, and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse. The SafePlace organization has done an incredible job of setting up services for everything a survivor might need in order to overcome their circumstances. SafePlace has even began training organizations all over the globe on how they can better serve the handicap community. THE SAD REALITY IS THAT THE ABUSE RATE IN THE HANDICAP COMMUNITY IS SO MUCH GREATER due to their inability to act or fight at the time the incident occurs. For shelters like SafePlace, and others all around the globe, it is vital that handicap communities everywhere are aware of the resources that are out there for them and that the shelters are prepared to serve them.
SafePlace has been around for over 30 years and can house up to 150 emergency visitors at a time plus 150 more people who can extend their stay at the SafePlacce facility if they so choose and then can utilize the services for things like childcare, food aid, clothing donations, baby necessities (like A.C.T.S donated), life building skills i.e financial management classes, job training, community building events and so much more! Though 150 emergency beds and 150 long term beds seems like a lot to offer, SafePlace is the largest facility we have in Texas that serves domestic abuse victims and the next facility to even come close to comparing in size is in the Williamson county area only capable of accommodating 30 people. With 1,493 abuse cases being reported last year alone and estimating that statistically only 1 in 5 victims ever report their case there are simply no words to describe my disappointment in availability for aid for everyone, but especially these children. It isn't to say that there aren't incredible people trying to bridge the gap and help the community suffering from abuse in anyway they can but they need help.