The First 72Hrs
Welcome to "Heart of The Haven," an informative series shedding light on domestic and family violence and the support available to those in need. Domestic violence is a pervasive issue affecting individuals from all walks of life, and in this article, we will explore the first 72 hours at The Haven, providing a glimpse into the challenges and compassionate care provided during this critical time.
Coming to the shelter can be a daunting prospect for women and children, so we want to remove uncertainty and show care and compassion during this time. There are three key elements to the first 72h hours. These are safety and security, settling in, and building trust.
Safety & Security
The initial step involves stringent security protocols to ensure the safety of women and children seeking refuge from domestic and family violence. Recognising that abusers may employ various tracking methods, The Haven takes precautions, including meeting the woman and her children offsite in a secure public space. This allows for a thorough assessment to ensure they are not monitored or tracked before transporting them to site.
Intake & Settling In
The first day, known as intake day, is a pivotal moment as families arrive at The Haven. Rooms are pre-prepared to provide a welcoming environment, with age-appropriate welcome packs for children and women containing activities to ease their transition. The focus is on settling in, meeting staff and fellow residents, and engaging in grounding exercises to alleviate anxiety and fear.
Building Trust
Building trust is paramount during the initial days. The Haven employs a "doing work and being with" approach. Sam Campbell, Executive Officer, Client Services said, “The doing work is the logistics of casework, it’s the tasks and things we've got to do, it’s also the goals you want to work towards. But a big portion of what we do is being with and that's all the nonverbal cues. The way our space is set up is trauma-informed. That means we have visual, tactile, and auditory sensory cues to tell families when they come that this is a safe and calm environment.”
Safety discussions are part of building trust too and involve being clear about what this looks like. It’s important that a woman recognises her own efforts to keep herself safe and builds on that, incorporating them into the shelter's safety measures.
Sam acknowledged, “We know building trust and helping families feel safe quickly helps to slow down their nervous system on that first day because anxiety and fear can be running a little bit high.”
Meeting Caseworkers
Over the next two days, families meet with caseworkers who tailor support to their individual needs. Each woman is assigned a primary caseworker, while children have specialist workers dedicated to addressing their unique requirements. The Haven provides essential needs, ensuring families have everything required for the first 72 hours, from food and toiletries to school packs for children and access to the internet.
Challenges and Alternatives
While The Haven strives to create a safe and supportive environment, shelter living may not be suitable for everyone. Unforeseen safety challenges or barriers may arise, leading some families to realise the shelter isn't the right fit. Sam said, “We had a family come in and once they were onsite, they realised their in-laws lived around the corner. This wasn’t ideal as they wouldn’t feel safe going to the local shops or parks.” In such cases, alternative arrangements are made, with collaboration between shelters within the Women’s Community Shelters network to accommodate specific needs.
Voices of Experience
Clients often share experiences through empowerment circles, initiated by existing residents welcoming newcomers. These moments of connection and shared understanding help women feel heard, believed, and not alone. The culture of trust and support extends to teenagers and children within The Haven, creating a community where residents look out for each other.
The first 72 hours at The Haven are dedicated to safety, grounding, and building trust. Through meticulous security measures, compassionate care, and a trauma-informed approach, The Haven strives to create a supportive environment for those escaping domestic and family violence. By demystifying this critical period, "Heart of The Haven" aims to encourage individuals in need to seek help and support. If you or someone you know requires assistance, please click here for a list of available services.