Safe Futures Celebrates 40 Years of Providing Services

New London, CT – Safe Futures, New London County’s premier provider of domestic violence and sexual assault services, on July 26 celebrates 40 years of saving lives, restoring hope and changing the future for women, children and men affected by violence.
 
Founded in 1976 as The Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut, the agency was one of the first five to emerge in the state. Today, in addition to providing services to domestic violence and sexual assault victims, Safe Futures is a leading voice in the movement to eliminate violence in our society through education, outreach and advocacy.
 
“We have seen profound improvements over the last 40 years in how our community responds to power-based violence,” says Catherine Zeiner, executive director.  “Our priority is to eliminate the violence altogether before the end of the next 40 years.”
 
The past four decades are a continuous story of women’s rights and empowerment milestones.

Safe Futures shares this milestone anniversary with other local groups, including the Coast Guard Academy, which celebrates 40 years of accepting women into their program, and the Southeastern Connecticut Women’s Network, which has been a sister organization to Safe Futures for 40 years. And nationally, the last 40 years have seen the enactment of the Equal Rights Amendment, Title 9, and the Violence Against Women Act.
 
An anniversary celebration will be held on November 10, and other key events will be held over the next twelve months, including a gala event on May 6, 2017.
 
Safe Futures operates two 24-hour hotlines, an emergency shelter and a transitional living program for families. It also provides legal assistance, counseling and advocacy, case management, support groups and educational programs for schools as well as community groups.  All 21 towns in New London County are served by the agency.
 
During 2015, the agency sheltered 211 women and children fleeing abuse in Genesis House, the emergency shelter for women and children; provided training and support to 37 women and their children in Phoenix House transitional living program; counseled over 5,000 clients seeking assistance for domestic violence; and educated over 4,800 students throughout the community in strategies to both prevent and recognize domestic violence and sexual assault.  Services and shelter staffing now operate 24/7/365.  For more information about Safe Futures, visit www.SafeFuturesCT.com
 
Safe Futures is part of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV).  The Women’s Center is also a Partner Agency of United Way and its programs are funded in part by the State of Connecticut’s Departments of Social Service, Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Office of Victim Services, Judicial Branch.
 
As always, if you or someone you know needs help, call the 24-hour hotline: (860) 701-6000.