SURVIVORS AND ADVOCATES FOR EMPOWERMENT INC
PO BOX 7412, WASHINGTON, DC 20044 dcsafe.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: DC SAFE (SURVIVORS AND ADVOCATES FOR EMPOWERMENT) ENSURES THE SAFETY AND SELF-DETERMINATION FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE WASHINGTON, DC AREA THROUGH EMERGENCY SERVICES, COURT ADVOCACY AND SYSTEM REFORM.

THE CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES RESPONSE LINE PROVIDES IMMEDIATE CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS 24-HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. RESPONSE LINE ADVOCATES AND ON CALL ADVOCATES ARE AVAILABLE TO MEET WITH A VICTIM AT A SAFE LOCATION TO PROVIDE TANGIBLE RESOURCES, OR SPEAK WITH THEM ON THE PHONE. THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT REQUIRES OFFICERS TO OFFER RESPONSE LINE SERVICES TO EVERY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM THEY SPEAK WITH AND TO CALL OUR RESPONSE LINE FROM THE SCENE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRIME ON THE VICTIM'S BEHALF. A RESPONSE LINE ADVOCATE CAN PROVIDE:SAFETY PLANNING;LEGAL INFORMATION;IMMEDIATE CRISIS SHELTER;HELP SECURING THE VICTIM'S HOMEEMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR FOOD, BUS FARE, AND SUPPLIES FOR BABIES AND CHILDREN;ACCESS TO THE EMERGENCY TEMPORARY PROTECTION ORDER (ETPO) PROCESS; ANDNEXT-DAY FOLLOW-UP FROM A DC SAFE ADVOCATE.RESPONSE LINE ADVOCATES CAN ALSO ASSIST MPD OFFICERS AND DETECTIVES BY ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT VICTIM RESOURCES, PROTECTION ORDERS, AND OTHER LEGAL OPTIONS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS. ADVOCATES COLLABORATE CLOSELY WITH POLICE OFFICERS AND THE COMMUNITY TO BUILD AWARENESS ABOUT RESPONSE LINE SERVICES, AND ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.

SAFE SPACE OFFERS 20 DAYS OF IMMEDIATE CRISIS SHELTER FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE AT THE HIGHEST RISK OF BEING KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED BY THE ABUSER. THESE CONFIDENTIAL APARTMENT UNITS ARE FULLY FURNISHED AND PROVIDE THE BASIC NECESSITIES FOR A FAMILY COMING TO DC SAFE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A VIOLENT INCIDENT. OFTEN FAMILIES COME TO US WITH LITTLE BUT THE CLOTHES ON THEIR BACKS.SAFE SPACE IS THE ONLY CRISIS HOUSING PROGRAM IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS.SAFE SPACE PROVIDES A SAFE AND QUIET APARTMENT IN WHICH A FAMILY CAN RECOVER, OBTAIN THE NECESSARY SOCIAL SERVICES TO IMMEDIATELY SUSTAIN THEMSELVES AND BEGIN TO MAKE LONGER-TERM DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.DC SAFE STAFF ARE ON SITE TO ASSIST WITH THESE IMPORTANT NEXT STEPS, AND A COUNSELOR IS AVAILABLE ON SITE THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE WOMEN'S CENTER AND THE WENDT CENTER FOR LOSS AND HEALING, TO ALLOW FAMILIES TO BEGIN THE HEALING PROCESS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AFTER ENTERING SAFE SPACE.

DC SAFE PROVIDES COURT-BASED ADVOCACY SERVICES FOR BETWEEN 20 AND 30 VICTIMS EVERY BUSINESS DAY- MORE THAN 4,000 SURVIVORS EACH YEAR. ADVOCATES WORK WITH VICTIMS THROUGHOUT THEIR COURT CASE TO ENSURE THAT THE LEGAL REMEDIES THEY SEEK ENHANCE THEIR OVERALL SAFETY, AND TO PROVIDE RESOURCES, INFORMATION AND REFERRALS AS THE SURVIVOR'S SITUATION CHANGES OVER TIME. SUPPORTIVE ADVOCACY ADVOCATES PROVIDE:-INFORMATION AND EDUCATION ABOUT HOW TO PETITION FOR A CIVIL PROTECTIVE ORDER;-ASSISTANCE DRAFTING PETITIONS FOR TEMPORARY AND CIVIL PROTECTION ORDERS;-GENERAL LEGAL INFORMATION;-REFERRAL TO A PRO BONO ATTORNEY;-SAFETY PLANNING ASSISTANCE;-PUBLIC BENEFITS AND SOCIAL SERVICE REFERRALS;-EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE;-EMERGENCY CELL PHONES;-DIAPERS, FORMULA,AND BABY SUPPLIES;-COURT ACCOMPANIMENT AND VICTIMS;-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND-ASSISTANCE WITH ANY OTHER PORTION OF THE COURT OR SOCIAL SERVICES SYSTEM.

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