Safe Horizon

Domestic Violence Services

Safe Horizon is the nation's leading nonprofit victim assistance, advocacy and violence prevention organization with more than 80 programs throughout New York's five boroughs and a staff of over 900 dedicated professionals. The mission of Safe Horizon is to provide support, prevent violence, and promote justice for victims of crime and abuse, their families and communities.

Safe Horizon has offices in every New York City Family Court. Safe Horizon operates over 30 court-based programs throughout the five boroughs. In the family court, Safe Horizon provides a variety of services to victims of domestic violence. These services include the following:

  • a safe, emotionally supportive reception center or space for victims to wait for a family court proceeding,
  • case managers available to provide crisis intervention counseling, advocacy, assistance in preparing a family offense petition, explanation of the court process when filing for an order of protection, linkage to domestic violence shelter and referrals for counseling and legal services,
  • practical help when appropriate such as lock changes, food coupons, transportation, emergency 911 cell phones, emergency clothing and food, and relocation assistance
  • safety planning for victims and children, and
  • manage a court-ordered restitution program.
 

Safe Horizon Family & Criminal Court Children's Centers

Safe Horizon operates ten court-based Children's Centers throughout the five boroughs. The Children's Centers, which are available in all the city's family courts provide free, supportive, educational child care to the children of adults who must appear in family court. Referrals for child care programs, head start, and child health and nutrition programs and other entitlements are provided.

 

Supervised Visitation Program

In the Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn) and Queens Family Courts, Safe Horizon provides safe, supervised visits between children and their non-custodial parents when it is ordered by the family court. The program maintains contact with the referring judge or referee in order to keep the court informed of the progress of the visits. Supportive services and referrals are made for families in the program.