What is the Safe Home Program?
A safe home is a free, confidential space provided by trained
volunteers in their homes for a period of one to fourteen nights.
Having a place to go is the missing piece for many battered
LBT people, their children and pets, which are trying to leave
their batterers. Our safe homes are located across the state
and offer the breathing room, space, time and peer support
needed, while The Network/La Red staff provides referrals,
support services and advocacy. This combination allows guests
much needed respite and time to get started on their next course
of action.
How do I get into a Safe Home?
You call The Network/La Red Hotline,
617-423-SAFE (7233) v/tty, Monday thru Friday from 9am-7pm
and speak with a staff member or a trained peer volunteer.
First we will ask about your immediate safety. Once this has
been established, we begin the intake process, which takes
approximately 30-45 minutes.
If we both feel a Network/La Red safe home is a good match
for you, we make arrangements to meet you in a public area
and then bring you to the safe home where we make sure both
you and provider are comfortable.
Once in the safe home, the Safe Home Coordinator and Advocate
work with you daily, to strategize/brainstorm the next steps
you would like to take.
If you need shelter during hours we are
not available (after
7pm or on weekends) you can call SafeLink, 1-877-785-2020,
the Massachusetts 24-hour domestic violence hotline, for
referrals to shelters that have space.
Are there any rules while staying in a Safe Home?
Yes, we want your stay to be as safe and comfortable as possible
while also maintaining your confidentiality and that of the
safe home provider.
Some of the things we ask of safe home guests:
- To have no contact with their abuser
- To avoid areas their abuser may be
- Not to go to work or school while during the duration of
the safe home stay
Some of the things a safe home guest is entitled to:
- Reside in a safe, secure, confidential environment
- Courteous, fair, respectful, communication, and treatment
- Exercise your civil rights and religious/spiritual practices/beliefs.
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