Domestic abuse victims find Safe-T in Mount Pleasant shelter agency

As sex trafficking and
domestic violence are
increasing in occurrence,
victims in Northeast Texas
are finding an advocate, a
voice, and safe place to
heal.
Shelter Agencies for
Families in East Texas, or
SAFE-T, serves victims of
domestic abuse and sexual
assault in eight counties,
including Morris, Titus,
Camp, Franklin, Hopkins,
and Red River. Their main
office is in Mount Pleasant,
and there are satellite
offices in Sulphur Springs
and Paris. The agency also
operates a thrift store in
Mount Pleasant, and the
funds are used to help victims
of abuse.
SAFE-T offers a wide
variety of services, including
a 24-hour crisis hotline.
They also offer counseling
and support groups, crime
victim assistance, rape crisis
intervention, and will
offer legal assistance, court
accompaniment, child visitation
and exchange, and
other services.
SAFE-T also offers residential
services, including
shelter and victim assistance,
as well as child advocacy,
legal advocacy, and
counseling and group
advocacy.
Statistics show that victims
of abuse need an
average of seven opportunities
to leave before
they are successful.
SAFE-T offers tips for
anyone who thinks they
may be in danger. First,
they suggest the victim
call their hotline. They
also suggest to have a
safety plan, an emergency
kit, and a list of
names and numbers of
trusted friends they can
ask for help.
When making a safety
plan, there are a few things
that SAFE-T director Mary
Ferguson suggests for those
in violent situations:
Always keep money hidden.
Have extra keys for the
car and house.
Establish a code with family
and friends
Call 911.
In addition to these steps,
Ferguson also suggests staying
prepared to leave if the
situation warrants. One way
to do that is to keep a small
bag with extra clothing hidden
in a garage, at friends, or
in a closet. Also, victims of
abuse and domestic violence
should keep an emergency
kit ready, as well. Things to
be included in the emergency
kit include:
-Driver’s license number
(of both the victim and the
abuser).
-Marriage license and
birth records.
-Bank statements and
insurance policies.
-Social Security number(
s).
-Medications.
-List of important phone
numbers.
-Car registration.
-Any valuables.
Ferguson states that it is
important to have important
documents with you when
you arrive at the agency, as it
will decrease the processing
time. “We will assist people
who do not have them, but it
takes less time to process if
they already have these
important documents,”
Ferguson said.
As important as it is to get
victims out of violent situations,
there are some ways
that SAFE-T suggests people
can help reduce the risk of
sexual assault:
-Always carry money for a
phone call or a taxi.
-Know the exact plans for
a date, including expected
time or return, then inform
a parent, roommate, or
friend.
-Steer clear of alcohol and
drugs, as their use reduces
one’s ability to react.
-Never allow a stranger to
buy you a drink, and never
leave your drink unattended.
-If you or someone you
know may be in danger, call
the SAFE-T hotline at 903-
575-9999. If a partner
becomes violent, call 911 (or
have someone call 911 for
you), grab your emergency
kit, get out, and take your
children with you.
If you would like to volunteer
with SAFE-T, or would
like to make a donation,
please call the office at 903-
572-0973.