ADVOCACY
SAFV offers support for all people in any type of violent situation or with impending safety concerns. Communication with SAFV employees is confidential. Advocates provide services in person or over the phone, including personal support, safety planning, and advocacy while working with legal, housing, or medical systems. SAFV employees are mandated reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect, vulnerable adult abuse or neglect, or the threat of harm to self or others.
SAFV is located in Sitka and serves the communities of Sitka, Port Alexander, Kake, and Angoon. SAFV can arrange to fly those in emergency situations out of their communities into Sitka to receive services. We will give support to anyone who calls our office or crisis line, regardless of their location. If you are experiencing a potentially dangerous situation, we encourage you to call, schedule an appointment, or come by to talk with an advocate.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing or has experienced domestic violence or sexual assault, it can be hard to know where to turn. SAFV advocates will provide a non-judgmental listening ear, while assessing your situation, and in turn, provide you with resources and support.
SAFV provides equal access to services to clients without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital status, changes in marital status, or other classifictions protected by law.
Following are SAFV's services:
CRISIS LINE
907-747-6511 (Sitka), 1-800-478-6511 (toll-free in AK)
If you are in immediate danger or are in need of emergency assistance, call 911.
If your situation is not an emergency, SAFV's 24-hour crisis line is staffed around the clock by an advocate trained in crisis intervention. The crisis line serves as a point of contact for people who are seeking help, support, and information.
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A crisis can affect anyone at any time. We encourage anyone with an immediate safety concern to call and speak to an advocate.
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When people have the opportunity to talk through a crisis, the risk of harmful occurances to self and others are greatly diminished. Communication with an advocate is confidential, and you do not have to identify yourself if you wish not to.
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES
SAFV advocates can help resident and non-resident clients to identify and access the resources you need within your community. We provide assistance with the Office of Children's Services, Adult Protective Services, housing, employment services, legal services, public assistance, protective orders, and more. If you don't see the service you need in the following list, call 907-747-3370 and talk with a SAFV advocate for help with being connected with the service you need.
Office of Children's Services (OCS)
We inform program participants that we are mandated reporters and are required to make reports within 24 hours of learning about child abuse or neglect. For more information about child abuse and how to report it, go to our Child Abuse page.
Adult Protective Services
SAFV works with Adult Protective Services to ensure the safety of vulnerable adults. If SAFV is working with a vulernable adult who has experienced abuse by a caregiver, Adult Protective Services will collaborate with SAFV to make sure that person is protected from future abuse. For more info about what constitutes vulnerable adult abuse and how to report it, go to our Vulnerable Adult Abuse page.
Housing
​SAFV works with people to secure affordable, safe housing in their community. Advocates connect residents with low-income housing options, help them fill out housing applications, provide letters of validation for their personal situation, and will refer them to other agencies within the community that may help pay for rental deposits and provide vouchers to subsidize state housing. For information about and to apply to low-income housing in Sitka, visit the housing section of our Forms & Applications page.
Employment
​SAFV works with residents to secure employment so they can work toward financial independence. SAFV advocates help program participants develop an individualized support plan to help determine what their immediate needs are. If employment is one of them, advocates can assist by connecting residents with the employment office, where they can go to view jobs, print applications, and create resumes. If you would like to speak to someone at the Sitka employment office, call 907-747-3423.
Legal Services
SAFV advocates work with clients to help them navigate the legal system, file protective and stalking orders, become connected with a pro bono lawyer, and provide support in court. For more information about the legal servives SAFV can provide, go to our Legal Services page.
Public Assistance
If program participants decide they would like to receive public assistance, advocates can assist in applying for food stamps, financial resources, daycare assistance, health insurance for children, women's health services, enrollment at Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA), and Medicaid. To get connected with public assistance programs and resources, visit our Forms & Applications page.
SAFETY PLANNING
If you experience a violent incident or continued incidents, there are a number of things that you can do to increase your safety. It is important to have a plan when leaving a violent situation. SAFV staff can work with anyone who is in danger to create an individual safety plan to help you escape a dangerous situation safely.
ADULTS
SAFV provides confidential safety planning advocacy for all situations, either over the phone or in person. SAFV advocates can help create individual safety plans that can provide key support systems and help you increase safety and prepare in advance for the possibility of further violence. Although you cannot control your partner's violence, you do have a choice about how to respond to them and to best get yourself and your children to safety.
If you are unable to contact an advocate at this time, you can use this Safety Plan Guide (or this shorter version) to plan how to increase your safety on your own.
TEENS
Unhealthy relationships often start early. Teenage dating violence is just as serious as adult domestic violence, especially because it often starts a pattern of abuse or victimization that lasts a lifetime. The severity of intimate partner violence in adulthood is often greater in cases where the pattern of abuse was established in adolescence. Visit our Teen Dating Violence resource page for more information and to learn about teen safety planning.
