Have you been affected by domestic violence?
The Shelter is here to help!
As the only domestic violence shelter in Collier County, our non-disclosed location empowers survivors to heal from the trauma of abuse and rebuild their lives.
We help rebuild lives
No one deserves to be in an unhealthy relationship. Our team of trained professionals is here to make sure that you get the help you need.
Our Services
All services at The Shelter are provided free of charge. We believe that limited resources should not be a barrier for anyone who needs help.
- Our 24/7 Crisis Line. Call 239-775-1101 any time of day, every day of the year. A trained advocate will be there to take your call. If you are interested in any of our services, call our helpline and we will connect you to the appropriate individual.
- Our Shelter. We provide immediate shelter for individuals in danger due to domestic violence. Clients get the help they need from 24/7 staff in a safe and secure setting.
- Legal Advocacy. Our legal advocates work to support victims of crimes involving domestic violence and human trafficking in Collier County courts.
- Community Counseling. Anyone who has been affected by domestic violence can make an appointment with at The Shelter.
- Community Support Groups.
- Prevention and Outreach. Our Community Education team speaks with individuals at schools, jails, businesses, community organizations, health and wellness fairs, and everywhere else to help stop domestic violence.
- Aftercare. Once our clients stop utilizing our services, they do not leave our orbit of care. We provide aftercare for clients as long as they need our assistance.
How Can We Help You?
We won’t know until you call. When you’re ready, we’ll be here – 239-775-1101
In an Emergency:
- Call 911 – go to a safe spot or the neighbor’s and call the police (take children and pets, too).
- Stay away from the kitchen, garage/any rooms that contain ‘weapons’ and small spaces.
- If police come, explain what has occurred and write down the officer’s badge number and name.
- Take pictures of all injuries and damages.
Protect Yourself at Home:
- Get help by calling 911 or The Shelter’s confidential 24-hour abuse hotline: 239.775.1101.
- Always carry a charged cell phone; screen phone calls and know your phone’s blackout areas. Contact us for a free recycled cell phone for emergency service access/911 calls only: 239.775.3862.
- Change locks on your doors and install locks on your windows.
- Plan an escape route from your home and teach it to your children; know where you will go to escape (consider The Shelter’s residential Beau Venturi Home).
- Have neighbors call the police when they see the abuser at your home – develop a signal to alert them to danger (flipping on a porch light, etc.).
- Take a self-defense course and carry a noisemaker or personal alarm.
- Animal cruelty is family violence. For information on protecting pets, please visit The Humane Society of The United States.
Protect Yourself Outside Your Home:
- Change routes to work, school, stores and ride with others; shop and bank in new places.
- Cancel joint bank accounts and credit cards; open new accounts in your name only at a different bank.
- Keep your court order and emergency numbers with you at all times!
- If you have to travel to another state, take your Injunction for Protection with you – it is valid everywhere in the United States.
- Carry noisemakers or pepper spray/mace.
Be Safe at Work:
- Keep a copy of your court order at work.
- Give/show a picture of your abuser to supervisors/security guards, receptionists and friends. Ask someone to screen your calls.
- Park in a well-lit space close to the door; ask security or a coworker to walk you to your car, bus, and lunch.
- Save all voicemail messages and emails from the abuser.
Actions to Consider:
- Call 911 in emergencies and to report the violence.
- Seek an Injunction for Protection to keep the abuser away – our Advocates can assist: 239.775.1101.
- Have medical staff document your injuries and their cause.
- Call The Shelter’s confidential 24-hour crisis line: 239.775.1101.
- Keep a journal and photos of the abuse (keep this in a spot where the abuser will not find it).
