SAFE Alliance faces major financial challenges; key programs could close

SAFE Alliance programs at risk over funding loss

One of the nation’s largest organizations which supports survivors of domestic and sexual violence, sex trafficking and child abuse, is facing major financial challenges that could force it to close key programs.

AUSTIN, Texas - One of the nation’s largest organizations which supports survivors of domestic and sexual violence, sex trafficking and child abuse, is facing major financial challenges that could force it to close key programs.

In the past year, The SAFE Alliance has lost about $4 million in philanthropic and government funding. Now, the nonprofit must quickly secure additional resources or risk shutting down critical services.

The backstory:

SAFE Alliance leaders say budget shortfalls are threatening four of its key programs. The organization receives about half its funding from the city of Austin and the other half from community donations.

"The city pays a little over $140 to spay and neuter cats and dogs. We receive the equivalent of $59 per victim of sexual violence," Berastain said. "We spend more money as a city to spay and neuter cats and dogs than to respond to survivors of sexual violence," SAFE Alliance CEO Dr. Pierre Berastain said.

One of the services at risk of closing as soon as next month is Eloise House, a clinic that provides forensic exams for survivors.

"When survivors go to the hospital, they’re often required to tell their story to a dozen people before anyone can actually help them," Holly Bowles, director of SAFE’s Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy Program, said. "They may wait hours—sometimes up to eight—before seeing a nurse or advocate. Even though the exam is free, they often get billed thousands of dollars for other hospital charges. We do not do any of that here."

According to SAFE Alliance, Eloise House provides about 95% of all forensic examinations in Austin, roughly 600 exams each year. 

"This is as much a public health issue as it is a public safety issue," Berastain said. "Survivors have told us they came forward to prevent perpetrators from harming others."

SAFE Alliance operates the only two shelters in Austin for domestic and sexual violence victims, and one may be forced to close. The city pays $2 million annually to operate the shelter, but SAFE says the actual cost is $3 million and the organization can no longer subsidize the shortfall.

"The thought of that not being available—it feels like such a loss," Bowles said.

Another program in danger is SAFE Futures, which works to keep mothers and children together and out of the foster care system.

"The courts sometimes charge survivors of domestic violence with ‘failure to protect,’ which can result in children being removed from their mothers," Berastain said.

SAFE Futures works with courts to keep families united and prevent more children from entering the foster care system.

Also at risk is Planet SAFE, a homicide prevention initiative that provides a secure location for people who cannot safely interact—often divorced parents exchanging children who fear violence. The program provides a safe space with an armed guard present.

What's next:

According to a memo obtained by The Associated Press, Eloise House will close May 31. 

Planet SAFE and SAFE Futures will operate until the summer. The community shelter is funded through October 1. City officials say they are in communication with SAFE Alliance as the situation develops.