In observance of Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 2-8, the Daily Press will be publishing a series of editorials authored by local agencies that support local crime victims.

— — —

ESCANABA — Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 2-8, 2017. Tri-County Safe Harbor, Inc. partners with other victim service agencies in the community to promote victims’ rights and honor crime victims, along with, those who advocate on victims’ behalf.

This year’s theme — Strength. Resilience. Justice. — focuses on a strong response to the crime, giving victims the capacity to recover, and holding criminals accountable.

Tri-County Safe Harbor strives to maintain professional relationships with local agencies so we can work together to meet the needs of each individual client. This helps us to create a healthier and safer life for clients and their children. For clients who don’t need shelter, they are

considered outreach clients and are given the same resources and assistance as those who are in shelter.

Tri-County Safe Harbor, Inc. provides services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in Delta, Schoolcraft, and Menominee counties. Our mission at Tri-County Safe Harbor is to serve victims of domestic and sexual violence, to raise awareness, and to educate, as well as, involve the communities we serve.

Last year our organization helped over 241 individuals in crisis, 79 of which were children. The shelter also provided 2694 safe nights for survivors. Statistics don’t always show the whole picture because so much of the violence takes place at a physiological level and many domestic violence cases aren’t reported.

By drawing attention to this issue at a local level we hope to reduce the number of people involved and let survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse move forward.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault or intimate partner domestic violence, please call. Safe Harbor can help you. We offer a 24-hour crisis line, emergency safe housing, counseling, personal protection order assistance, safety planning, therapy, support groups, advocacy, community education, information and referrals. Tri-County Safe Harbor serves Delta, Menominee and Schoolcraft counties. 24-hour crisis line: 1-800-682-1649.