For domestic violence survivors who are also experiencing trauma, feeling safe is very important. Safety affords our bodies and minds the ability to heal.
For many of us, we can relate to moments throughout our lives where we didn’t feel safe emotionally or physically. Sometimes this leads to a lack of trust in others and sometimes this lack of safety can stop us in our tracks from progressing emotionally.
At Rose Brooks Center we understand that ‘feeling’ safe and ‘being’ safe are two entirely different things – and we address both with victims and survivors of domestic violence who require shelter.
For those in emergency shelter, physical safety is the first layer, followed by wrapping them in the care needed to move forward, including addressing trauma for themselves and their children, providing education about their past relationships, and establishing connections in the community that support their physical and emotional safety.
One domestic violence survivor said it like this, “As you settle in [at Rose Brooks], you begin to breathe. You feel grateful that the stress and the fear is gone, especially for your kids. You realize you’ve learned so much since the day you arrived and being here has been much more than just a roof over your head – it’s been a place that has taught you how to stop the cycle of violence for yourself and your children. You’ve reclaimed your future, and have the quality of life you all deserve.”