NEW SAFE HOUSE DESERVES CHANCE TO STAND ON OWN

For more than a year, Cape Girardeau has been without a shelter for abused women and their children. But thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers and community leaders, the Safe House for Women, Inc. has opened its doors.

While it's hard to predict how many abused women will take advantage of the new facility, local statistics do indicate a need. The Cape Girardeau Police responded to 178 cases of domestic violence between August of 1989 and August of 1990. A former safe house operation sheltered nearly 180 women and their children each year.

During the last year, abused women had few choices. The nearest safe houses operated in Malden, Poplar Bluff and Carbondale, Ill. That's quite a distance to travel in the middle of the night or on weekends, when most domestic violence cases arise.

The need for the shelter has already become apparent in its first few days of operation. Last Friday night, a badly battered woman walked to the shelter on a sprained ankle. She had no coat or shoes. The safe house staff provided food and a place to sleep. The woman obtained an ex parte order, and was able to return home Saturday. The shelter took in another woman Sunday.

On an immediate basis, the facility provides a safe place to recuperate from mental and emotional wounds. But the operation offers much more, including group and individual counseling; training in assertiveness, self-esteem and parenting skills; and play therapy for children. A number of counselors from the community have generously volunteered to help with programs.

With only 11 beds, two roll-a-way beds, two cribs and two travel cribs, the facility is obviously not designed for long-term shelter. Often, however, it's that short-term security that makes all the difference between a woman staying in an abusive situation or seeking help.

Since it is not a government agency, this non-profit facility must depend on community generosity for daily operations. The initial response has been positive, but the cost of opening last week drained the organization's cash reserves. The agency's 1991 fund drive goal is $100,000 for operations and mortgage payments. State tax credits are available to businesses and corporations.

The safe house needs not only dollars and materials, but human help as well. Volunteers from civic organizations and churches are needed to staff a new crisis hotline around the clock. That number is 651-1614.

The community should not falter in its support of this safe house simply because of problems with the previous facility. This new safe house is not affiliated with WISER, which closed its doors in financial trouble last year after 13 years of operation.

More than a year of planning has gone into the Safe House for Women, Inc. It was initiated by a group of community and church leaders who recognized the need for this shelter. Now, it's our turn to welcome and support this new agency. This safe house deserves a chance to stand on its merits.