SOUTH VALLEY SANCTUARY INC

SVS has a Prevention and Education team whose goal is to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. We know education is highly effective in changing behavioral patterns and preventing abuse. Through education outreach, SVS staff provide important safety planning information and referral services to community and government entities that serve survivors. SVS also presents at local high schools to teach students about healthy relationships and has weekly healthy relationship courses that are open to the public.

SVS pioneered the Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) program in Utah through partnering with local police departments. LAP is an assessment tool used by law enforcement officers responding to domestic violence calls to prevent homicide. This life saving tool assesses the victim’s lethality risk through a series of questions. Officers are trained on domestic violence services in the area and can connect the victim with needed services, which may include emergency shelter. SVS maintains a confidential shelter address to protect domestic violence victims from their abuser which, in instances of high lethality risk, is essential. LAP protocols have been shown to reduce domestic violence-related homicides. Since SVS began the practice, LAP protocols have been adopted statewide.

Due to economic abuse, a lesser known and insidious element of domestic violence, many domestic violence victims face the impossible choice between returning home to their abuser or becoming homeless because they cannot find affordable, safe, and permanent housing. To create better economic opportunities for survivors of abuse, SVS uses a domestic violence housing first (DVHF) model to connect clients to safe housing as quickly as possible without preconditions or barriers to entry, thus preventing and addressing homelessness among survivors. Our DVHF model includes emergency housing, permanent housing, and housing and rent assistance. Stable housing is essential to safety, stability, employment, and economic opportunity for survivors.

For all South Valley Services housing programs, we offer assistance on a first come, first serve basis in accordance with eligibility requirements and the housing need of each client. At every intake we assess every client's level of safety/need and wil

Our shelter is the only confidentially-located shelter in Salt Lake County and the only shelter that serves men in addition to women and children. Open 365 days a year, our shelter serves over 500 domestic violence survivors annually, approximately half of which are children.

The Children's Learning Center (CLC) is located within SVS's emergency shelter. Shelter clients and their children can access free childcare, supportive services for their children (like afterschool help and summer camps), child victim advocacy, family and child therapy, and more. Just like their parent, each child is given a safety plan upon shelter entry. The CLC serves over 200 children annually.

SVS provides therapy to adult domestic violence survivors at no charge. Individual sessions and group therapy are available within our shelter and at our community locations.

SVS runs a 24/7 emergency domestic violence helpline from within our shelter. Answering over 4,000 calls annually, SVS staff connect domestic violence and sexual assault survivors with services. A call to our helpline may result in an emergency shelter stay or, where appropriate, referral to community resources, such as our Community Resource Centers.