About Safe Harbor

Safe Harbor works to save, transform, and rebuild lives.

The organization supports those who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence, or human trafficking.

In all of Safe Harbor's programs, the organization works from a trauma-informed and empowerment-focused lens. It sees each survivor as the expert of their own experiences and strive to create a safe and welcoming space for all. Its goals are to help clients understand and address the impact of trauma and build resilience.

Safe Harbor's services are available in both English and Spanish and are available to anyone who has experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, or human trafficking regardless of race, gender, age, national origin, immigration status, gender identity or expression, faith, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, and geographic location. Because survivors are often controlled financially by their abuser and cannot pay for services without fear of retribution, all services are offered free of charge to the survivor.

Safe Harbor offers comprehensive services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking including: individual and group counseling, children/youth services, 24-hour helpline, court advocacy, emergency shelter, hospital accompaniment, and community education and training.

The organization works to transform the lives of survivors. By providing shelter, counseling, support, education, and advocacy to survivors, it helps those who have been impacted by violence and abuse to heal, rebuild, and move forward with their lives.

Safe Harbor was founded in 1998 when representatives of Bon Secours Richmond Health System, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Henrico County, The Salvation Army, Virginia Commonwealth University Sexual Assault Program, and the YWCA of Richmond met to address the shortage of shelter beds and support services in Henrico County for domestic violence victims. The organizaiton opened its doors in April 2000 as an emergency shelter to provide safe housing for victims of domestic violence in imminent danger.

While Henrico County is its primary service area, it collaborates with community partners to serve the Greater Richmond region.