Running Away

Sometimes if feels like no one understands you at home, or that you'd be better off on your own. But life on the street is so dangerous! Youth on their own die or go missing every day! Come to Safe Place for shelter if you can't go home.

* Parental substance abuse is the largest cause of runaway behavior in youth.
* Prior to leaving home, about 43% of youth report being beaten by a parent or guardian.
* Over 25% of youth who have run from home have had parents or guardians request sexual favors, and about 32% have been forced to participate in sexual activity.

Rape

If you have ever been raped tell someone immediately. It is not your fault and you should not keep it a secret!

* 1 in 6 U.S. women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape.
* Most victims know thier attacker. Often, the attacker threatens the victim never to tell.
* About 10% of sexual assault victims are men.
* Tell someone before the attacker can harm you or someone else again.

STD’s

Contracting an STD is a serious issue. But with counseling, education and medical help, you can go on with your life. You are not alone.

* U.S. youth between the ages of 13 and 24 are contracting HIV at the rate of 2 per hour.
* Each year, about 3,000 adolescents contract sexually transmitted diseases, which is about 1 in 4 sexually experienced teens.

Sexual Orientation

If ever feel like you are being threatened, or you fear for your safety come to any Safe Place for immediate security. If you feel like no one understands you, come to Safe Place to talk.

* About 48% of self-identified gay and bisexual college students become aware of their sexual preference in high school, while 26% find their sexuality in college.
* The vast majority of victims of anti-lesbian/gay violence - possibly more than 80% - never report the incident, often due to fear of being "outed."  

Pregnancy

I'm pregnant, now what? For counseling, shelter and care, come to Safe Place. You don't have to face this alone. There are many people who are waiting to help you through this time.

* A sexually active teenager who does not use contraception has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant within a year.
* Of the approximately 950,000 teenage pregnancies that occur each year, about 3 in 4 are unintended.  Over one quarter of these pregnancies end in abortion

Eating Disorders

Do you use food to feel in control? Do you struggle with your weight? Do those around you feel that there is a problem with the way you eat? Visit us at Safe Place before it spirals into a life-threatening situation.

* More than 5 million Americans experience eating disorders.
* A young woman with anorexia is 12 times more likely to die than a woman her age without anorexia.

Depression / Suicide

Sometimes life just doesn't seem very fair, and your situation feels hopeless. We are here to tell you that there is a way out. Talk to us about your situation and we will connect you with real help.

* About 2 million U.S. adolescents attempt suicide each year; almost 700,000 receive medical attention for their attempt.
* About 19% of high school students consider suicide.

Alcohol

Drugs and alchohol put you at serious risk for arrest, long term illness and death. Moreover, these substances confuse your judgement and will affect your relationships. If you use drugs or alchohol come to Safe Place for counseling and help to get your life back.

* Children who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to become an alcoholic as an adult than those who begin at age 21, the legal drinking age.

If you are going through any other issue, and feel like you can't talk about it with anyone, call us. Everything you say is confidential. We will listen.