Domestic violence is rooted in power and control.
One of the most common tactics abusers use to maintain that control is isolation. They often encourage or force victims to cut ties with family and friends. Over time, victims are left with no support system and no one to turn to for help.
Abusers also frequently control the household finances. Without access to financial resources, counseling and other support services can seem out of reach. If victims decide to leave their abuser, they may face homelessness and extreme financial hardship. As these barriers grow, many victims begin to feel trapped in their situation and lose hope.
But there is hope.
Changing an abusive situation takes tremendous courage, patience, and the support of SafeNet.
SafeNet begins by providing compassionate, highly trained counselors who listen without judgment. Counselors assess each individual’s situation and present options rather than making decisions for them. They offer encouragement, emotional support, and guidance while helping victims develop personalized safety plans. They also connect victims with resources and services available throughout Erie County.
Many victims must also navigate the legal system. SafeNet’s attorney and legal advocates help victims understand their rights, obtain legal protections, and provide support throughout the legal process.
When victims can no longer remain safely in their homes, SafeNet provides housing options that meet their immediate and long-term needs, including emergency shelter for short-term safety and transitional housing for those working toward independence.
Without SafeNet’s services, many victims would have nowhere to turn. They could remain trapped in abusive relationships, while their children continue to witness violence and carry those learned behaviors into future generations, perpetuating the cycle of abuse.
One of SafeNet’s primary goals is to help victims build self-sufficiency while strengthening their parenting skills. Many individuals arrive at SafeNet homeless and without financial resources, but they leave with stable housing, employment, and a plan for the future. Those successes empower survivors to become productive members of the Erie community and provide healthier, more stable futures for their children.
