Victims of abuse look for SAFE-T

Around the world, at least one in every three women have been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused during her lifetime. In the United States every nine seconds a woman is assaulted or beaten. Every year, approximately 8.8 million children witness domestic violence in their homes. In 2012 there was a study that found that children exposed to domestic violence at home are more likely to have health problems, including becoming sick more often, having frequent headaches or stomachaches, and being more tired and lethargic. Children who live in homes like these also suffer abuse or neglect at high rates. Domestic violence and abuse is an ever-growing problem in not only the country, but this area as well. The, non-profit organization, Shelter Agencies for Families in East Texas (SAFE-T) in Mount Pleasant has a number of ways that they assist people who have gone through domestic violence. 

 

SAFE-T was founded in 1995 under the belief that emotional, psychological, physical and sexual abuse of one human being by another is unacceptable. The mission of SAFE-T is  to create an environment where violence and abuse are not tolerated in the communities that they serve. They provide education, violence prevention services, and crisis intervention services to victims of family violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. They will seek the support and resources necessary to achieve their mission. The serve eight counties including: Delta, Lamar, Red River, Titus, Morris, Franklin, Hopkins, and Camp County. The place that SAFE-T shelters the victims of the people is unidentified for their safety. Although their main office is in Mount Pleasant they also have two other outreach offices located in Paris and in Sulphur Springs. They are funded by grants, fundraising and their thrift store (SAFE-T Thrift Store) in Mount Pleasant.

 

Their outreach services include: 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling and support groups, crime victim assistance, rape crisis intervention, child visitation and exchange, court accompaniment, legal assistance. SAFE-T’s residential services consist of: shelter, victim assistance, housing assistance, counseling and group advocacy, legal advocacy, and children’s advocacy. SAFE-T also has school program for Pre-K through college. They have education on the domestic violence cycle and laws. The programs they have are: children who witness violence, sexual assault, workplace violence, and teen dating violence. They also have training for law enforcement, social workers, nurses, and the community. SAFE-T is a non-profit organization to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in the surrounding eight counties.

 

To continue reading this article purchase the May 22^nd edition of the Pittsburg Gazette or read more in our e-edition: http://www.etypeservices.com/SWF/LocalUser/Pittsburg1//Magazine53803/Full/index.aspx?id=53803