First thing is first, Get safe. 

The most dangerous time in the cycle of abuse is when the one being abused is trying to leave the relationship


A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, when planning to leave, or after you have left. Safety planning involves how to cope with emotions, tell friends and family about the abuse, take legal action, and more. 
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Plan for safety in advance. Springhaven advocates are available 24/7, via our crisis line to help you create a safety plan and offer support and resources. Because everyone is unique and each situation is different, safety plans are personalized.

When safety planning, it is important to remember that you know your situation best and to trust your instincts. You are your own expert. Think about what you have done in the past to stay safe and how you can use it in the future to remain safe. You have the right to protect yourself until you are out of danger.

 Safety Planning in an explosive incident 
  • Choose one or more neighbors you can trust to tell about the violence. Ask that they call the police immediately if they hear a disturbance coming from your home.
  • Practice how to get out of your home safely. Identify which doors, windows, elevators, or stairwell would be best for a quick exit.
  • If possible, keep a copy of important keys hidden where only you can access them.
  • If an argument seems unavoidable, try to have it in a room or area where you have access to an exit. Try to stay away from the kitchen, bedroom, or anywhere else weapons might be available.
  • Choose a code word to use with your children, family, friends, and neighbors so they will know when to alert the police for you. Teach your children how to call 911 and tell them what to do if they do not feel safe.
Safety When Preparing to Leave
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.
  • Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, extra medicines, and clothes with someone you trust or in a safe place so you can leave quickly.
Safety After You Have Ended the Relationship
  • If you will remain in the home, change locks on your doors as quickly as possible. Buy additional locks to secure your 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 or her near your home.
  • Notify your children’s school or day care about who has permission to have contact with or who is allowed to pick up your children.
Safety at Work & in Public
  • 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. Call blocking features can be an excellent way 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.




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know your rights

You have the right to be respected.  
You have the right to be treated with respect and without discrimination based on national origin, religion, race, color, sexual orientation by everyone who lives and works here.

You have the right to be heard.  
We take the voice of every surviveor seriously at Springhaven. Your journey is unique and we want to hear from you.  

You have the right to self-determination. 
We are here to support you in making your own decisions. You have the right to set your own goals while you stay here.  We are merely here to help. 

You have the right to Peace.
Each person has the right to safety, and privacy.

You have the right to be supported as a parent. 
Children in the program may have been exposed to traumas which result in behavior difficulties. We are here to help and have trained staff equipped to help support you and your healing family. 

You have the right to live without the threat of violence. 
We do not tolerate violence, harassment, bullying, or threats of the same at Springhaven.

You have the right to a healthy, sober, and drug-free environment. 
Some individuals in our program struggle with chemical dependency issues. We are here to support them in their recovery.  Alcohol and illegal drugs are not permitted on the premises of the shelter.  Survivors with histories of substance abuse may work with staff to develop a plan for remaining sober. Staff will support recovering Survivors in a non-judgmental, respectful manner.  Survivors will not, under any circumstances, be exited from SpringHaven for lapses in sobriety except in cases where illicit substances are utilized on premises.
You have the right to an inclusive, accepting, and empowering space. 
​At SpringHaven, we do not discriminate based on race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. Harassment and intimidation include abusive, foul, or threatening language or behavior. SpringHaven Inc is committed to maintaining an environment that is free of any such harassment and will not tolerate discrimination against staff members, volunteers, or agency clients. 

You have the right to a clean and safe environment.  
Survivors are asked to maintain their rooms in a sanitary, safe way for children and considerate of their roommates and/or future Survivors.  

You have the right to keep their presence at our shelter confidential.  
If an abuser finds out the location of the shelter, it could compromise the safety of all of our Survivors. We maintain confidentiality and will not share your identity, or the fact that you are at shelter, without your explicit permission to do so. The only exceptions are when reports to the Cabinet must be made or where the survivor poses a threat to themselves or others. 

You have the right to support from friends and family.  
During this time, it is important to invest in relationships that are healing and supportive. Our advocates will work with you to schedule family visits, and will help you communicate if you do not possess devices to communicate, already.  

You have the right to come and go.  
We ask that survivors work on safety plans with advocates. Our goal is always to empower and enable you to leave shelter, safely.  ​

Did you know that we take 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 fur baby and their 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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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 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
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.
  • You can choose to remain anonymous when you call our crisis line.
  • When you call, we will ask you if you are in a safe place to talk.
  • We will ask if you are familiar with Springhaven and the services we offer.
  • We will invite you to share your situation with us so that we can best provide for your needs and make referrals as needed.
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.

We Will Not Ask Your Documentation Status
We will never ask for your citizenship or documentation status to seek services and we will always provide you with an interpreter free of charge. We know that domestic violence affects individuals regardless or race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientations or country of origin. We are proud to offer our services to our diverse communities.

Nunca pediremos su ciudadanía o documentación para buscar servicios y siempre le proporcionaremos un intérprete gratis. Sabemos que la violencia doméstica afecta a individuos sin importar raza, religión, identidad de género, orientación sexual o país de origen.
​Siempre estamos aquí para ayudar 1-800-767-5838

Frequently Asked Questions

if I have somewhere safe to go, Will Springhaven still help me? 
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.
If you are in need of outreach services, you should still call our crisis line at 1-800-767-5838 for help.  
If I am admitted to shelter, what should I bring? 
There is no right answer to this question.  We encourage survivors to think quickly.  If you are fleeing violence, you should not risk packing a large amount of items.  We will not store furniture or heavy luggage.  However, we encourage survivors to bring all medications, clothing they wish to bring, and identifying documents (social security cards, birth certificates, and driver's licenses) if they have those items. 
i fled with nothing.  Will springhaven help me obtain clothing and essentials? 
Yes.  We keep clothing, and essential personal care items in shelter 24/7 for our survivors.  If we do not have an appropriately sized item, or other necessity, we will do our best to accomodate. 
Will springhaven help me obtain a protective order? 
Yes.  We will help transport you to the courthouse, or to law enforcement, to file a petition and sit with you while you complete the paperwork.  Although we are not lawyers, we have important partnerships with attorneys that can assist you if  you require additional assistance.  
How do I know that I am safe at shelter? 
Our shelter is equipped with a state of the art alarm system and cameras in all common areas, as well as all all exterior walls of the building.  Our grounds are confidential and surrounded by a gate and fence, controlled by our staff 24/7, 365.  Only staff, survivors, and those on their "pick-up" lists are granted admission to our facility. 
Can I bring my phone? 
Yes.  We do not control communication in shelter.  This facility is meant for safety and healing and is not a rehabilitation, or halfway house facility. 
Will i have to share a room? 
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.  
How long can I stay at shelter?
There is no right answer to this question.  Every situation is unique and every survivor's story is different.  Our goal is to empower survivors to independence beyond shelter walls as quickly as possible.  Due to limited bed space, shelter should always be used as a last resort. 
I am struggling with substance use/mental health, can springhaven help me? 
Yes.  We offer therapy and group services and have important community partnerships that will help us assist you in your journey to improve your mental health, heal from trauma, or conquer a substance use issue.  

Please note: Drugs and alcohol are not permitted on Springhaven property.  Possession of those substances in our facility can cause a survivor to be asked to leave our program.  However, we will never penalize a survivor for substance use outside of shelter.  Our goal is to empower survivors to heal from trauma and find healthier ways to cope other than use of drugs or alcohol. 
Does springhaven serve male, or male identifying, survivors? 
Yes.  Springhaven does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender identity.  We are proud to host all sexes, and identities within the walls of our shelter.  

Parenting Classes


​We are aware that trauma can have an impact on the entire family.  And, we are here to help. 
We have trained staff, certified to teach parenting classes, intervention skills, and work with your children on curriculum while you work on healing yourself. 


Note: Our parenting classes will satisfy the requirements of CHFS, and our Judicial System.  
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​Sign up here for parenting classes. 

Additional Resources 

Did you know that if you are the victim of crime, you may be entitled to compensation for damages to your property, and medical bills resulting from any injuries sustained? 

Have you considered filing for a protective order (also known as a restraining order in other jurisdictions? If granted, a protective order can make any contact with you a crime for the offender. 
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Are you still struggling to understand the cycle of violence? Do you find yourself trying to justify your abuser's actions? It's okay.  Gaslighting is a form of abuse wherein the abuser convinces a survivor that they are responsible for their own suffering. 
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For additional resources, click the link below to learn about our sister shelters, find contact information for our state coalition, and see what you can do to give back. 
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Interested in support, but not sure where to turn? We understand, click the link below to download resources and find out more. 
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