DC SAFE

DC SAFE (Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment) has served more than 25,000 victims of domestic violence since 2006. DC SAFE empowers survivors in crisis 24/7 with immediate and tangible resources for their safety, and is the point of entry for an array of community collaborations to ensure no victim falls through the cracks. SAFE’s mission is to provide trauma-informed support for survivors as they navigate the civil and criminal justice systems, including interactions with first responders like the police and emergency rooms, and to advocate for batterer accountability and systemic reforms that ensure survivor safety and self-determination. SAFE was founded in 1997 as a single Advocate providing services to all survivors who sought assistance through DC Superior Court, and has since grown to a thriving organization with 24-7 services, 22 full-time staff members, and over 140 volunteers and interns. Advocates assist an average of 30 to 40 clients every day, providing safety planning and lethality assessments, Court and Police advocacy, connection to social service providers, and emergency shelter and resources.