Mission

We offer a Safe Haven for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by providing free, confidential services in a safe, caring environment; striving to raise awareness through community education and outreach. Our support, counseling and advocacy restores hope and helps people reclaim their lives.

What We Do

Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury (formerly The Women's Emergency Shelter) was founded in 1978 to provide emergency shelter and comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence. The first shelter was a small three bedroom apartment that was later was moved to a seventeen-bed facility. Although the larger shelter afforded a safe home for battered women and their children, by 1990 it was in need of extensive repair. In 1991, the agency moved the shelter to a different location, which better suited the needs of our families. In 1986, with the enactment of the Family Violence Prevention and Response Act, the agency saw a dramatic increase in the number of clients seeking non-shelter services. The Family Violence Victim Advocate Program made many victims aware of the variety of services offered in addition to shelter. In 1996, the Sexual Assault Crisis Services became a program of the agency. In 2000, the name was changed to Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury to better reflect our work with all victims of domestic violence and sexual assault including children and men as well as women. In 2001, Safe Haven opened an office in Southbury to better serve victims in the suburban towns of Southbury, Woodbury and Middlebury. In 2003, Safe Haven became owners of the Southbury Community Thrift Shop now called the Safe Haven Thrift Shop.

Safe Haven services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault include: relocation assistance included a safe home for battered women and their children; 24 hour crisis intervention; individual and peer group counseling; children's programming including counseling, advocacy and art therapy; criminal and civil legal advocacy; outreach to the Hispanic community; D.O.V.E. (Developing Options for Victim's Education) classes for victims of domestic violence referred by the court or the Department of Children and Families; a Self Esteem group; the Rainbow Group for the LGBT community; a sexual assault survivors group; community and prevention education and professional training. All services are free and confidential.