The shelter is dedicated to women and children survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The shelter is located at an undisclosed location and has 24-hour security surveillance. There are 65 beds plus cribs in the facility, and residents can stay there for 30 to 90 days while they prepare to make a fresh start apart from their abuser. Not only are housing needs met at the shelter, but residents are also provided with three meals a day through cafeteria-style food services, clothing, personal care items, access to libraries and computer labs, and age-appropriate play areas for children.

Shelter staff assists women with safety planning, goal setting and referrals to additional community services. Women also receive help with financial and career planning. A Legal Advocate is available to help identify the legal rights and options of family violence and sexual assault survivors.

The legal advocate can assist you with applying for Crime Victims’ Compensation if you qualify under the program’s eligibility requirements and have reported the crime to law enforcement. The Crime Victims’ Compensation Program can help provide you with financial assistance for crime related expenses that cannot be reimbursed by insurance or other sources. This may provide you with assistance on expenses such as medical care, hospital stays, counseling and relocation expenses.

The legal advocate can assist you in applying for a protective order. A protective order legally requires an abuser to stay 500 feet away from the victim’s home or workplace. It also prohibits them from stalking, assaulting, harassing and threatening the victim. It can also prohibit the offender from going near a school or daycare center that a child protected under the order attends.

Our advocates maintain a strict policy of confidentiality, but if you prefer to remain anonymous, you can use a nickname when you call the hotline.

If you have recently been sexually assaulted, Family Services can send a certified sexual assault advocate to meet you at a local hospital for help and support. Our advocates are compassionate and supportive, and can provide crisis intervention and/or even be in the room with you, your family and/or friends at the hospital while medical and forensic examinations are conducted. The advocate will help you understand your rights as a victim of violence and let you know what other resources are available to you.

Please remember that if you are sexually assaulted, your first call should be to 911. Once you are safely away from your attacker, if possible, ask a friend or family member to wait with you until the police arrive. In order to preserve evidence, DO NOT BATHE, DOUCHE, SHOWER, brush your teeth or hair, change clothes, go to the bathroom, eat or drink, or clean your wounds until after you have been examined by the SANE nurse or have been given the okay by law enforcement.

It is your choice to report the assault to the police, but you can have a SANE exam done as a “non-reporter” and make the decision to press charges or not at a later time. Even if you decide not to report the assault, you should seek medical attention from a hospital or clinic and it is never too late to call the Family Services hotline for support. The SANE exam is available to adult survivors of sexual violence 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Family Services Children’s Advocate works with parents on issues concerning their children and helps young people in adjusting to shelter life. The advocate ensures that all children and youth have adequate arrangements and supplies to attend school and works with the students on homework and other school projects. In addition, foster grandparents are available to help supervise children while their mothers are in the shelter facility taking care of other responsibilities. A secure playground is available, and activities are planned often to ensure that children and youth are thriving during their shelter stay.

In addition to Family Services Women and Children’s Shelter, which is located in Jefferson County, we also operate Piney Woods Safe House in Jasper County. The Piney Woods Safe House can be accessed by calling the 24-hour confidential hotline or by contacting the service directly at the number below:

• Piney Woods Safe House: 409-384-1225