In an unexpected move that has raised serious worries within the community, the doors of the Family Safety Center have been closed for an unspecified period. The center has been an instrumental support system for those affected by domestic violence, their abrupt shuttering leaves many questions about the future well-being of those seeking refuge from violence at home.
Once humming with the hustle and bustle of employees and clients, the Family Safety Center now stands desolate. According to one staffer, who chose to remain anonymous for privacy reasons, the closure came as a bolt from the blue. Neither she nor her colleagues had any forewarning before they showed up for work on a Wednesday morning.
A sign announcing the center’s indefinite closure was posted on the building. The employees continue to assert that the decision of the closure was taken in secrecy, creating an unwelcome surprise for both them and the clients they serve, who are now left in an uncertain state of affairs.
Shelby County officials have shared that protective orders, previously managed by the Family Safety Center, will now be processed by the Crime Victims & Rape Crisis Center, situated at 1060 Madison Avenue. They continue to emphasize that all those in need will be afforded assistance.
That said, the sudden change does present a significant gap in service accessibility. The Crime Victims & Rape Crisis Center wraps up its daily operations at 4:30 PM. Despite having a 24/7 sexual assault hotline, there lacks a continuous service for victims of domestic violence.
The Family Safety Center, prior to its unanticipated closing, maintained a 24-hour domestic violence support. With the elimination of such a critical service, local organizations are left grappling to identify a solution to this newfound need.
In the wake of these events, various local agencies are mobilizing their resources to bridge the gap left in the wake of the Family Safety Center’s closure. Reportedly, several meetings are being lined up to coordinate these efforts.
Marquiepta Odom-Williams, the Executive Director of the YWCA, has sought to address the community’s concerns. Reassuring the community, she has illuminated the steps being taken to ensure continued support and care to domestic violence victims.
Odom-Williams has also verified that an assembly of agencies, including the YWCA itself, will gather in the ensuing days. The primary objective of these meetings is to synchronize services and devise strategies to cater to the needs of victims affected by the abrupt closure.