April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. And a local organization devoted to providing shelter and assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault is working to make the public aware of its significance.
“The National Coalition Against Sexual Assault provides organizations such as Safe Haven with materials and pamphlets to inform the public about this event,” said Dorothy Givens, who is domestic violence/sexual assault coordinator for Safe Haven Inc. in Columbus.
Safe Haven has served as a shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault since 1983. The organization serves 10 counties: Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Clay, Monroe, Choctaw, Webster, Attala, Montgomery, Calhoun and Chickasaw.
Givens started as a weekend resident assistant for Safe Haven and worked her way through the ranks; she”s now worked there for 23 years.
“My sister Shirley McGee helped me to get the job because she worked at Safe Haven. I worked Saturday and Sundays from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. helping clients who were staying here,” she said.
As part of her work as a domestic violence/sexual assault coordinator, Givens works with clients to help them get back on their feet.
“We talk about their future goals, what they want to do to get out of their situation. Along with providing shelter for them and their families for 30 days, we put them in touch with other agencies including the local housing authority and the Department of Human Services,” she said.
Givens is a Columbus native and a graduate of West Lowndes” former Motley High School. She has an associate”s degree from East Mississippi Community College in criminal justice and is working on a degree in paralegal studies from Mississippi University for Women.
She and her husband, Charles, are the parents of two sons, Mendes and Desi. They are members of the Full Gospel Baptist Church in Crawford.
How many clients do you average serving within a month?
It ranges from month to month. At the first of the year, we averaged at least 24 clients and children, sometimes it is as few as two families.
What is the biggest challenge in your responsibilities?
Helping clients regain their self-esteem. Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault come to us with very low self-esteem. They also have a fear of not being able to make it out on their own when they leave
What are the key sings to look for in a victim of sexual assault and or domestic violence?
They seem to be withdrawn and keep things to themselves. They do not want to be around anyone else.
What are some of the things your agency does to spread the word about Safe Haven, as well as Sexual Assault Awareness Month?
We go to the schools, to churches and various civic organizations in the 10-county area we serve. We have pamphlets and brochures; plus we have a billboard set up in different areas we serve.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 26 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
