SEMO Safe House for Women

The SEMO Safe House for Women, Inc. was formed in 1991 by a concerned group of grass roots citizens in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  The agency is a not-for-profit, private 501c(3) domestic violence shelter that provides safe shelter, 24-hour crisis hotline services, intensive case management, counseling, court advocacy, referral services, and education programs.

The shelter provides a communal living arrangement for victims of domestic violence.  The shelter can accommodate 22 women and children at any given time.  Safe housing, food, clothing, counseling, court advocacy, case management, and support services are free of charge.  While there is not a policy on length of stay within the shelter, criteria for continued stay are determined by progression toward established client goals and movement towards self sufficiency.

Outreach services are also available to non-residential women and children at our Outreach Office located at 230 N. Spring St., Cape Girardeau, MO.

The mission of the Safe House for Women is to STOP domestic violence and HELP survivors of domestic abuse regain a sense of their strength, power, and future.

Adopted February 28, 2002

We believe violence is a learned behavior that is preventable.  We are committed to building awareness among community members about the epidemic of violence and engaging their support in finding solutions that are effective and sustainable.

Our priority goal is to stop domestic violence.  To accomplish this goal, our agency will:

1. Provide safe refuge, crisis intervention, professional counseling, court advocacy, and case management to women and children who have experienced domestic violence.

2. Increase awareness throughout the community we serve by providing health education related to violence prevention.

3. Advocate for social change and system reform on behalf of abused women and children so that they may live a life free of abuse

 Success Story to Highlight. . .

Alice called our hotline on looking for shelter.  Her boyfriend had come to her place of employment and began physically abusing her.  The police were called, but he continued to drive by her home threatening her. Alice is 22, single, no children and no family support. This boyfriend was the only stability she had ever known, but she knew deep in her heart that it was an abusive situation that would only get worse.  She had to take a leap of faith and call for help.  She had seen our number in many places, but until that day, never had the courage to call because she felt ashamed. Alice was on her last leg and didn’t know if she could hang on any longer. She picked up the phone and called us.  We immediately brought her in for shelter.  Alice had no clothing or anything to her name.  We were able to provide her with food and the basic necessities of life.  Alice had many barriers to starting over and living independently.  She was on probation, had no income and no job.  Our court advocate was able to help Alice navigate some issues in the legal system.  This was not an easy task.  Our case manager found resources for her immediate health needs and all staff worked together to find Alice adequate housing and employment within the two weeks that the probation officer allowed for her to be in a shelter.  Our first concern was safety and the abuser was arrested and in jail. Despite the odds against her and the threat of going to jail for other legal issues, Alice found full time employment and housing and a year later she is still employed at the same place and has satisfied the terms of her probation.  Alice has come back to the shelter for supporting services throughout the year.  We were her family and through the education and counseling she received at the Safe House for Women, Inc. Alice has a new life free of violence. She said she finally felt someone thought she was worth helping and that people cared about her life. This made the whole year a success and it had only just begun!

Contact Us

For more information or to contact us, visit our website www.semosafehouse.org

Need Help?

It is hard to know what to do if your partner hits you, demeans you or calls you names.

It’s also hard to leave an abuser.

You may fear for your safety, have doubts about making it on your own, or feel as though you are breaking up the family.

The Safe House for Women can help you look at all of your options.  We can also provide a safe place for you and your children or help you find other ways to get back on your feet.

All services are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL

The Safe House for Women can help.  Make the call.

573-651-1614   or   1-800-341-1830