It’s important for children to feel safe

By McKenna Ellingson Someplace Safe

The Week of the Young Child is an annual opportunity for communities to recommit to ensuring children experience a healthy environment which fosters positive learning and growth. Someplace Safe, a local nonprofit agency, is dedicated to creating safer families and safer communities for all.

Each year, the organization assists local children and families, working to provide much needed services, support and resources in the aftermath of crime and abuse.

Childhood maltreatment, neglect, exploitation and abuse can all be linked to the physical, psychological and behavioral consequences of children. Many times, these issues can follow survivors into adulthood and later life.

Intervention is key in helping survivors recover, fostering healing and hope in the aftermath of crime and abuse.

It is so important for children and families to feel safe and supported. Abuse and neglect can have lifelong consequences for survivors, especially for children. Working together as a community, we can lessen the impacts and provide much needed help and support to our local children and families.

This past year, the Someplace Safe Douglas Advocacy Office, located in Alexandria, provided free and confidential crime advocacy services to 64 children, age 17 and under, who survived crimes such as domestic violence, abuse/ neglect, human trafficking, exploitation and others.

If you or someone you know is experiencing an unsafe situation or is in need of crime victim services, call 800-9743359 or 320-762-1995, or visit www.someplacesafe. info. Accessible services are available, including live web chat, text messaging and interpreters.

Someplace Safe provides free and confidential advocacy services to individuals, children and families who have been victimized by crime. This includes adults, children and families who have been affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and exploitation, human and labor trafficking, and other crimes such as harassment, stalking and elder abuse. Trained advocates provide a variety of services to families and survivors, including crisis intervention, legal and medical advocacy, emergency resources, temporary safe housing, safety planning and referrals.

In addition to providing direct services to victims of crime and abuse, Someplace Safe works to educate the community on the effects that violence and abuse have on victims and families, the importance of healthy relationships, as well as other community awareness and educational topics.