Domestic Violence Services

Local Hotline Number: 203-575-0036
Statewide Toll Free Number: 1-888-774-2900

Hotline

Safe Haven provides 24-hour coverage, 365 days a year, through our hotline designated for domestic violence victims. After 8:00 p.m. and on holidays, calls go to Infoline that then contacts a trained counselor. The counselor returns the call in 30 minutes or less, assesses and responds to the immediate crisis and ensures follow up on the next day. Safety planning is conducted with each client before the phone call is ended.

Shelter

Safe Haven shelter is in a confidential location. If you need shelter, call our 24-hour hotline 203-575-0036. Safe Haven provides up to 60 days of shelter for a woman and her children. Every effort is made to assure confidentiality and safety for the client. If the shelter is full or if the client is at risk in Waterbury, Safe Haven will network with other domestic violence programs to find temporary safe shelter for the woman and her children. In addition to shelter, Safe Haven provides food, toiletries and clothing for shelter families. Minimally, each client is offered individual counseling and safety planning every day. The client meets with her counselor at least once a week to address issues pertaining to her goals for housing, employment, legal remedies, benefits and daycare.

Non Shelter Services

Adult clients are provided with services that include but are not limited to safety planning, intake and assessment, individual counseling and support groups. The advocate provides adults with available resources for mental health services, housing, health clinics, food and clothing, child care, job training, legal resources, public transportation, youth services and assistance with victim compensation.

Support Groups

Safe Haven offers a variety of support groups. A traditional support group is held at the Safe Haven main office, 29 Central Avenue, Waterbury on Thursday evening from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

A group for clients with mental health issues is offered at 29 Central Ave. on Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. -2:30 p.m.

The D.O.V.E. (Developing Options for Victims Education) Group is an educational/informational group for clients referred by the courts or DCF. The groups deal with the dynamics of violence, legal options for victims and the effect of domestic violence on children. The groups are one and one half hours long and are offered on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. -2:30 p.m. (babysitting provided) and on Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (no babysitting is offered for the Wednesday evening group). The group is held at the main office at 29 Central Ave. Waterbury. Spanish D.O.V.E. group Friday 10:00 -11:30.a.m.

Rainbow Group: a support group for the gay and lesbian community. Offered Tuesday from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Groups are also offered on site at other social service agencies in the greater Waterbury area. For information about groups contact the business office at 203-575-0388.

Child Advocacy

Safe Haven provides a variety of services for both shelter and non-shelter children who witness domestic violence. Services include individual counseling, assistance with enrollment in local schools, safety planning for both mothers and children, special activities for shelter children, art therapy and activity groups.

Legal Advocacy

Safe Haven offers assistance with the application and process for obtaining a temporary restraining order. Safe Haven refers eligible clients to Connecticut Legal Services for advice and representation for civil legal matters such as divorce and custody.

Family Violence Victim Advocacy

Since 1986, the Family Violence Victim Advocacy program has been operating in Waterbury Superior Court. The victim advocates work with victims at time of arraignment to offer counseling, safety planning and advocacy to Safe Haven services and outside agencies. In 1997, a Docket Court was established in Waterbury to handle the more serious domestic violence cases. The victim advocates are part of a team comprised of the prosecutor, Family Relations, and the EVOLVE facilitator. The purpose of the docket court is to hold the offender accountable and work to ensure victim safety. Victim advocates provide services that include:

• Support in developing safety plans
• Information regarding the court process
• Information regarding prosecution and sanctions
• Information about protective orders and restraining orders
• Referrals for shelter, counseling and support groups
• Referrals to outside agencies for additional services
• All services are confidential

Court advocates may be reached Monday -Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at 203-236- 8077 or 203-236-8078.

DCF Liaison

Safe Haven has a liaison, who advocates for the safety needs of families for cases involving domestic violence in the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The Domestic Violence Liaison provides technical assistance and serves as a resource for DCF.

Outreach to the Hispanic Community

Safe Haven has six bilingual-bicultural staff to provide services to Spanish speaking victims. Every effort is made to reach out to the Hispanic population by distributing literature printed in Spanish and by offering presentations to Spanish speaking audiences.

Community Education

Safe Haven offers presentations to all age groups on the issues of domestic violence. The community educator provides presentations on bullying and dating violence to elementary, middle and high school students. The community educator also offers trainings to police, social service providers and health professionals as well as presentations to religious and civic groups.