SERVICES

Established in September 1990, Safe Harbor of Sheboygan County, Inc. is dedicated to the prevention of all forms of domestic abuse and sexual assault in the community through raising awareness, education, and providing safety, shelter, and support for all victims.  

Our services, provided at no cost to the recipient, are unique in Sheboygan County.

Intervention services provide victims with safety, support, information and resources which empower them to exercise control over their lives. Among these services are a 24-hour crisis line which offers counseling and information and referral services, temporary shelter, peer support groups, transportation, court and hospital advocacy, and assistance with emergency needs.  These services are available to all Sheboygan County residents.  We work to make them easily accessible.   Some ways in which this is done include an 800 number and TTY for the crisis line, having program information available in Spanish and Hmong, offering support groups at a variety of times and locations, having a barrier-free office and shelter, and having translators and interpreters available for non-English speaking and hearing-impaired victims. 

 Prevention services focus on helping individuals understand and develop attitudes, skills and behaviors which will minimize their risk of becoming either victim or perpetrator.  We believe the support groups we offer and educational programs we conduct throughout the community are essential to prevention.  Prevention programs include presentations about recognizing and developing healthy dating relationships, and tips for sexual assault prevention.  Prevention programs are offered for adolescents, teens and adults including those with developmental disabilities and mental illness.  Another of our main prevention efforts is the transitional services we provide for persons leaving shelter.  The financial assistance, case management and supportive services we offer victims provide them with resources, information and education to achieve safety and self-sufficiency.

Education services involve informing the community about the impact of domestic abuse and sexual assault and of the options and services available for victims.  In addition to providing information about Safe Harbor services, educational programs include presentations about domestic abuse, dating violence, sexual assault and sexual harassment to adults in community groups and organizations throughout the county, to students in schools and youth groups.  Staff also train other community professionals about how to identify and provide services to domestic abuse and sexual assault victims.  Printed information is distributed throughout the county, including information which is regularly mailed to households where police respond to a domestic abuse call and given to sexual assault victims treated at local hospitals.  Specialized activities are held each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month and October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Plan Your Move

Before you leave to come to shelter, make sure you have these personal items:

• Drivers license
• Birth certificates
• Marriage license
• Social security cards
• Passports
• Visas
• Immigration papers
• Insurance information
• Welfare ID
• Medical cards
• School and bank account information
• Prescription medicines

 You will need clothing and school books.  You may want to bring pictures, jewelry, items of sentimental value, things you feel are very important, and your child’s special toy, book or blanket.