Before Safe Shores existed in the District of Columbia, children and families had to travel to multiple locations to access needed services following an allegation of abuse, a costly and emotional process. Families had to navigate a complex system of agencies and children often had to tell their story in multiple places to multiple people.
As part of the children’s advocacy center model, Safe Shores and our partner agencies are housed at one building, easing access to services for children and families, as well as ensuring that a child will not have to tell their story multiple times. Our highly specialized staff works together to streamline the process in one location, collaborating with our partners to ensure that the safety, comfort, and needs of the child and family are always put first.
Our Multi-Disciplinary Team
Safe Shores responds to child abuse as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) of experts. Together, we investigate alleged abuse, conduct forensic interviews, provide client advocacy, reduce trauma, and identify resources so that children and families may begin the healing process. Our MDT team is all co-located at our Center in order to provide access to services in one centralized location. Safe Shores works with the following partners as part of our MDT team:
- Child and Family Services Agency (Child Protective Services)
- Children’s National Medical Center (The Freddie Mac Child and Adolescent Protection Center)
- Metropolitan Police Department (Youth Investigations Branch and Special Victims Unit)
- Office of the Attorney General (Child Protection Section, Juvenile Section and Neighborhood Victim Services)
- United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Unit and the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit)
Explore Our Services
Safe Shores works with over 1,700 children and families every year to provide comprehensive and coordinated services in our Nation’s Capital.
