Empowering Survivors
At Springhaven, we understand how important it is to feel safe and supported, especially during challenging times. That’s why our advocates are available 24/7 to provide you with free, confidential services to help you create a personalized safety plan and connect you with the supportive resources you need.
At Springhaven, You Are:
Welcome: No matter who you are or what you’ve experienced, you belong here.
Supported: Our team is dedicated to providing the emotional, legal, and practical support you need to regain control of your life.
Believed: You deserve to be heard and believed. We stand with you, every step of the way.
First things first, get safe.
The most dangerous time in an abusive relationship is when the one being abused is trying to leave, flee, or end the relationship. Below are some tips to get you started.
Remember: When you leave a relationship it has potential to be more dangerous; safety planning is important. If you feel you are in immediate danger or in an emergency situation, always call 911. Keep SpringHaven's crisis line number with you. You can reach out to the crisis line 24/7 for connection to services, counseling, and other help.
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Safety Tips to Help You Plan:
Identify Trusted Neighbors:
Choose one or more neighbors that you trust and let them know about the violence. Ask them to call the police immediately if they hear a disturbance coming from your home. This can give you a quick response if you’re in immediate danger.
Practice Your Escape Plan:
Practice how to exit your home safely. Identify doors, windows, elevators, or stairwells that provide the quickest and safest way out. This will help you act quickly if you need to leave unexpectedly.
Hide Important Keys:
If possible, keep a copy of important keys (house, car, safety deposit box, etc.) hidden where only you can access them. This ensures that you can leave without having to search for your keys under pressure.
Plan for Safe Arguments:
If an argument seems unavoidable, try to have it in a room or area where you have access to an exit. Avoid spaces like the kitchen, bedroom, or any area where weapons may be within reach.
Create a Code Word:
Choose a code word to use with your children, family, friends, and neighbors. This will signal to them that you need immediate help and that they should alert the authorities on your behalf. Make sure everyone in your support system knows the word and what it means.
Teach Your Children How to Call for Help:
Teach your children how to call 911 and explain to them what to do if they feel unsafe. Let them know that they can call the police for help if you can’t, and make sure they understand how important it is to reach out for assistance
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Create a Safety Plan:
Prepare in advance by gathering important documents (ID, birth certificates, social security cards, medical records) and keeping them in a safe, discreet location.
Plan your escape route from your home. Know the quickest and safest exit and identify places where you can go for help (friends, family, shelters).
Keep a phone charged and within easy reach or consider setting up a trusted contact who can be there to help if you need immediate assistance.
Reach Out for Support:
Contact a local domestic violence advocate or shelter, like SpringHaven, where trained professionals can help you safely navigate the process and provide resources.
Talk to trusted friends or family (if safe to do so) who can help you stay safe and offer emotional support.
Have an emergency contact list of people you trust, and let them know if you need help or have to leave quickly.
Keep Your Plan Confidential:
Keep your safety plan a secret, especially if you are still living with the abuser. It’s important that your plans remain confidential to avoid escalation or interference.
Use secure methods to communicate, such as a burner phone or encrypted messaging apps, if you fear your online or phone activity could be monitored.
Think About Your Children and Pets:
If you have children or pets, make sure you include them in your safety plan. Prepare a safe place for them to go if needed, and keep essential items like their medicine, clothing, and identification in a separate, safe location.
Have a Bag Packed and Ready:
Pack an emergency bag with essentials such as clothes, medication, toiletries, money, and any other items you can’t replace easily. Keep it in a secure place where only you can access it.
Know Your Rights:
If you're planning to leave, you may be entitled to legal protections, such as a restraining order or temporary custody of children. Contact an advocate or attorney to understand your rights and options.
Know That Help Is Available:
Springhaven advocates are available 24/7 to provide you with free, confidential support and safety planning. We are here to listen, guide, and ensure you have the resources you need to leave safely.
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If you will remain in the home, change locks on your doors as quickly as possible. Buy additional locks to secure windows. Always ensure that smoke alarms are in working order.
Inform your neighbor or landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and that they should immediately call the police if they see him/her near your home.
Notify your children’s school and/or day care about who has permission to have contact and who is allowed to pick up your children.
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Decide whom at work you will inform of your situation. Depending on the nature of your occupation, it may be a good idea to reach out to human resources, building security, management staff, or a trusted coworker.
Arrange to have your voicemail, caller ID, or a trusted friend screen your calls for you. Consider call blocking features on phone to keep an abusive partner from harassing you.
Have someone escort you to your car or bus and wait with you until you are safely on your way.
Alternate your travel routes home if possible.
Plan for what you would do if something happened to make you feel unsafe while driving or traveling.
Plan for what you would do if something happened to make you feel unsafe while in a public place like a shopping mall, movie theater, restaurant, or park.
Springhaven Services:
What to Expect
We provide a variety of residential and nonresidential services, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, and advocacy. If you or someone you love has experienced sexual assault or intimate partner abuse at any point, please remember that help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, through our toll-free crisis line: 1-800-767-5838 or (270) 769-1234
When calling the crisis line, you will speak with a trained domestic violence advocate who will answer your questions, help you come up with a plan for you or your loved one’s safety, and provide you with options and resources.
Call Our Crisis Line:
Stay Anonymous: You can choose to remain anonymous when you call our crisis line.
Safety First: When you call, we will ask if you are in a safe place to talk. If you’re not, we can help you figure out a safe way to continue the conversation.
Service Overview: We will ask if you are familiar with Springhaven and the services we offer. If you’re not, we’ll provide details about what we can do to help.
Tailored Support: We invite you to share your situation with us. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we can offer resources, support, and make referrals to services best suited to your needs.
Often, safe emergency shelter is a critical first step to a new beginning. Springhaven's residential facilities provide a safe, temporary haven for survivors of violence–regardless of gender–and their dependent children. During the first few days, we provide comfortable beds, warm meals, clean clothes, crisis counseling, and safety planning. Everyone staying in emergency shelter is invited to work with an advocate on creating an individualized plan.
Access Support in Any Language:
We will always provide you with an interpreter free of charge. We understand that domestic violence can affect individuals from all walks of life, and we want to ensure that language barriers are never an obstacle to accessing the help you need.
We are proud to offer our services to all survivors impacted by intimate partner violence, and we are committed to supporting you every step of the way. Siempre estamos aquí para ayudar.
If you need assistance, please call us at 1-800-767-5838.
SpringHaven Services:
Did You Know?
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We Accept Pets
Recent data shows that 40% of survivors refuse to leave an abusive relationship for fear of abandoning their pets. At Springhaven, we believe that no survivor should be forced to choose between a child and safety. We will take pets in shelter or board your pet with through our partnership with the Friends of Hardin County Animal Shelter
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We Provide Parenting Classes
Supporting Families Through Healing
We understand that trauma affects not just the individual, but the entire family. That's why we are here to help. Our trained and certified staff offer specialized parenting classes, intervention skills, and support for your children with a tailored curriculum—so you can focus on your own healing while we help strengthen your family.
Note: Our parenting classes meet the requirements set the Judicial System.
Click here to sign up here for parenting classes.
SpringHaven Services: Understanding Your Rights
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Your Rights Matter
You have the right to be treated with respect and dignity, free from discrimination based on national origin, religion, race, color, or sexual orientation by everyone who lives and works here.
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Your Voice Matters at SpringHaven
At SpringHaven, we take the voice of every survivor seriously. We understand that your journey is unique, and we are here to listen and support you every step of the way. We want to hear from you.
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You have the right to make decisions about your own life, your own healing, and your own future. Your choices are yours to make.
We are here to support you in making your own decisions. Our role is to offer help and guidance, but ultimately, the choices are yours to make.
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Everyone Has the Right to Safety and Privacy
Each person has the fundamental right to safety and privacy, and those rights should always be respected.
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As a parent, you have the right to receive support and guidance in your journey. We are here to help you every step of the way.
Supporting Children and Families Through Healing
Children in the program may have been exposed to trauma, which can result in behavioral challenges. We are here to help, with trained staff ready to support you and your family on your healing journey.
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You deserve to live in safety, free from fear and the threat of violence.
Zero Tolerance for Violence and Harassment
At Springhaven, we do not tolerate violence, harassment, bullying, or any threats of such behavior. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected.
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You deserve to live in an environment that supports your well-being, free from the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Supporting Recovery and Sobriety
Some individuals in our program may struggle with chemical dependency issues, and we are here to support their recovery journey.
Alcohol and illegal drugs are not permitted on the premises of the shelter. Survivors with histories of substance abuse are encouraged to work with staff to develop a personalized plan for maintaining sobriety. Our staff is committed to supporting recovering survivors in a non-judgmental and respectful manner.
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Survivors are asked to maintain their rooms in a sanitary, safe way for children and considerate of their roommates and/or future survivors.
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If an abuser discovers the location of the shelter, it could compromise the safety of all our survivors. We prioritize confidentiality and will not share your identity or the fact that you are staying at the shelter without your explicit permission.
The only exceptions are when reports must be made to the Cabinet or if there is a concern that the survivor may pose a threat to themselves or others.
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Investing in Healing and Supportive Relationships
During this time, it’s important to focus on healing and building supportive relationships. Our advocates will assist you in scheduling family visits and can help you establish communication, including providing devices if needed.
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You have the right to come and go as you need, while prioritizing your safety and well-being.
Safety Planning and Empowerment
We ask that survivors work with advocates to develop safety plans. Our goal is to always empower and support you in leaving the shelter safely when you are ready.
Springhaven Services:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes! We have outreach services for survivors to work with our advocates and receive services, even while not in shelter. You still qualify for housing assistance, therapy and group services, online and in-person courses, parenting assistance and classes, childcare assistance, and other services.
Call our crisis line at 1-800-767-5838 for help. -
If you are admitted to our shelter, we recommend bringing the following:
Identification (e.g., driver’s license, passport)
Personal hygiene items (e.g., toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo)
Clothing (enough for a few days, including comfortable shoes)
Medications (and any medical documents, if needed)
Important documents (e.g., birth certificates, legal papers, financial records)
Children’s items (if applicable, such as clothing, diapers, toys, etc.)
Chargers for phones or electronic devices
Please note that we can provide many basic items if you do not have them. Our primary goal is to ensure your safety, comfort, and well-being.
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Yes, SpringHaven will help you obtain clothing and essential items. We understand that leaving an unsafe situation often means fleeing without personal belongings. We provide basic necessities, including clothing, toiletries, and other essentials, to ensure that you have what you need as you focus on your safety and healing.
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Yes. Victim advocates are available to accompany survivors to court, providing emotional support and information throughout the process. While they are not attorneys, they can offer guidance on how to file a protective order and answer any questions you may have about the legal and judicial system.
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Safety and Security at Our Shelter
Our shelter is equipped with a state-of-the-art alarm system and cameras in all common areas and on the exterior walls of the building. The grounds are confidential and securely surrounded by a gate and fence, monitored and controlled by our staff 24/7, 365 days a year. Access to the facility is strictly limited to staff, survivors, and individuals on approved "pick-up" lists.
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Yes, we do not control communication within the shelter. Our facility is designed for safety and healing, and while we offer support. Our primary focus is to provide a safe environment for you to recover and rebuild.
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Yes. At Springhaven, our goal is to help as many survivors as we possibly can. That means that our rooms host anywhere between 2-4 survivors.
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There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Every situation is unique, and each survivor’s journey is different. Our goal is to empower survivors to achieve independence beyond the shelter walls as quickly as possible. Due to limited bed space, we encourage shelter to be used as a last resort, prioritizing longer-term safety and healing options when possible.
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Yes, SpringHaven can provide support if you are struggling with substance abuse or mental health challenges. While we are not a rehabilitation or mental health facility, we offer resources, emotional support, and can help connect you with professional treatment services. Our trained advocates can work with you to create a plan that supports your healing and long-term well-being. We are here to help you every step of the way.
Please note: Drugs and alcohol are not permitted on SpringHaven property. Possession of these substances within our facility may result in a survivor being asked to leave the program. However, we will never penalize a survivor for substance use outside the shelter. Our primary goal is to empower survivors to heal from trauma and help them find healthier ways to cope, beyond the use of drugs or alcohol. -
No, SpringHaven provides services to all survivors of intimate partner violence, regardless of gender. While many of our services have historically supported women, we are committed to offering assistance to anyone impacted by domestic violence, including men, non-binary individuals, and people of all identities. Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for all survivors.
Additional Resources
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Types of Abuse
Understanding Gaslighting and Domestic Violence
Are you still struggling to understand domestic violence? Do you find yourself trying to justify your abuser's actions? It’s okay—you're not alone. Gaslighting is a form of abuse where the abuser manipulates the survivor into believing they are responsible for their own suffering. This tactic is designed to confuse, disorient, and make the survivor doubt their own reality.
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Protective Orders
Have You Considered Filing for a Protective Order?
A protective order (also known as a restraining order in some areas) can provide you with legal protection. If granted, it can make any contact from the offender a criminal act, offering you an added layer of safety and peace of mind.
Call Springhaven’s Crisis Line to learn more about filing for a protective order.
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Crime Victim's Compensation
Did You Know You May Be Entitled to Compensation?
If you are a victim of crime, you may be eligible for compensation to help cover damages to your property and medical bills resulting from any injuries sustained. This support is designed to assist survivors in recovering and rebuilding after experiencing harm.
Click here to find out more about Crime Victims Compensation.