Click for a Safe Haven success story!

Safe Haven is a supervised visitation and safe exchange program for families affected by domestic violence.  It is the only program of its kind in northern Michigan.  Safe Haven's goal is to provide a safe, supervised, age-appropriate, friendly environment for children to visit with their non-custodial parent or exchange between parents for visits.

When relationship problems between parents escalate into confrontations and violence that the children may witness, the effect can be devastating, with long-term effects on the child.  Safe Haven assures that everyone in the family feels safe and that the children, in particular, are free to have a positive relationship with both parents without fear of consequence.

What You Can Expect From Safe Haven

All visits and exchanges take place at Child and Family Services' Traverse City facility.  Parents are given different arrival and departure times and use different building entrances to optimize the safety of all parties.  Observations by trained Safe Haven staff are conducted during all visits and exchanges, are documented accordingly, and are reported to referral sources monthly.

Referrals to Safe Haven are made by Friend of the Court, attorneys, family courts, the Michigan Department of Human Services, and/or other related agencies.  There is a minimal charge for visitations and exchanges; the referral source determines payment arrangements.

Facts about Domestic Violence

• Domestic violence is primarily a crime against women, accounting for about 85% of victims
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury of women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States–more then accidents, muggings, and rapes combined
• Nearly one in four women report being raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, cohabiting partner, or date in their lifetimes
• Domestic violence knows no socio-economic boundaries. Women of all cultures, races, occupations, ages, and income levels may be victims

The Safe Haven program is generously supported by:

Grant No. 2010-CW-AX-K023 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice

Women's Resource Center – Three Generations Circle of Women Givers

The Safe Haven program is open all holidays and weekends, and strives to meet individual family needs outside of the regular schedule, if possible.