The top 10 things to know about Safe House for Women

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As an agency that has provided emergency shelter, support services and prevention education in Southeast Missouri for victims of domestic violence for 18 years, we find ourselves consistently challenged to get the word out to make sure our community understands the role of Safe House for Women and the variety of services we offer.

Just when I think we have saturated the community with flyers, brochures, public service announcements, direct mail pieces, stories in the media or Thrift Shop sales, I run into someone in the community who says, "I didn't know there was a Safe House for Women." These interactions are always a humbling experience for me, and I am reminded that Domestic Violence Awareness Month should be every month of the year. The work is never finished.

I recently asked our board members, employees, interns and clients to develop a list of things to know about Safe House for Women. I challenged them to come up with things that the average person in our community may not know about our organization. This group shares a behind-the-scenes perspective and is well-positioned to identify the most important pieces of information that someone needs to know about our service to victims of violence.

A top 10 list of their ideas emerged. A few of their ideas may seem obvious to many of you, while others may be unexpected. My purpose with this exercise is that you as a reader will gain a better understanding of our agency and take away new information about the scope of services we provide to the community. My hope is that, now more than ever, you will support our work in the community and help us spread the word about the services available to victims of domestic violence. Help us with our efforts to make every month Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

1. The location of the emergency shelter is confidential and unpublicized for safety reasons. Safety is our No. 1 concern in everything we do.

2. For safety reasons, inquiries about a specific client will never be confirmed or denied. This rule applies to everyone who inquires, including family, friends, law enforcement officers, pastors and social-service providers.

3. The shelter offers a communal living environment with capacity for 22 women and children. We have a few rules, including curfews, chores and zero tolerance for use of drugs or alcohol.

4. Mothers with teenage boys are admitted on a case-by-case basis depending on the census and availability of an appropriate room assignment.

5. With the exception of shelter, all services are available to men who have experienced domestic violence. Male clients who need shelter are provided with a hotel room or receive a bus voucher to the nearest shelter for men in St. Louis.

6. The majority of our clients go to work every day just like you and I. Child care and transportation are major challenges. We provide bus and cab vouchers and recruit volunteers to help with child care.

7. The shelter and peer support groups provide unique therapeutic environments for women and children who have experienced violence. Shared experiences and the opportunity to talk about those experiences can be a first step toward healing.

8. With the exception of shelter, all services are available at our public outreach office in Town Plaza. Clients can receive our services without having to stay at the emergency shelter.

9. Domestic violence is a learned behavior and therefore preventable. We have a full-time educator who provides prevention education in 11 schools to students in grades 5 to 12 each school year. She also provides training to a variety of local audiences on the importance of prevention, referral and intervention.

10. We have an awesome thrift shop open to the public full of good quality clothing, shoes and houseware items. Our clients shop for free.

Dr. Linda Garner, a registered nurse, is executive director of the Safe House for Women in Cape Girardeau.