Albany County SAFE ProjectPhilosophy
SAFE Project’s philosophy statement is as follows:
The Board of Directors, volunteers and staff of the SAFE Project are dedicated to working against violence in human relationships regardless of race, gender, age, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation or physical and mental conditions. Every woman, child and man is entitled to live a life free of fear and violence.
In the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault, heightened awareness can lead to changes in society's attitudes about victims and the conditions which lead to violence. Exploitative and violent behaviors can be transformed through crisis intervention and education. SAFE has assisted thousands of individuals in regaining control of their own lives by providing options & support in a positive, educational environment.
We believe that the purpose of the family is to nurture and protect its members. In cases of intimate partner violence, we feel it is important for an adult or child to first reevaluate the abusive home environment and then consider the alternatives for change in order to enrich the quality of their lives. Because of our aim to empower individuals, we then support any decision the individual has determined will change their life for the better.
In cases of sexual assault, rape and incest, regardless of whether the offender is a stranger, an acquaintance, or a family member, we recognize the survivor’s need for a support system in reestablishing control of their own life following degrading and violent attack. We know that in order to regain their personal dignity and feeling of self worth, a victim must overcome society’s misrepresentation of this violence and power-motivated crime. Rape is not an act of love. It is an act of violence and power. As such, SAFE Project strongly advocates for victims in all sectors of the community.
