Community Partner Spotlight: A Safe Place Inc, Nantucket
June 16, 2025
For nearly 30 years, Children’s Cove has provided hope and healing for children across Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. This is accomplished through collaborative partnerships with local and regional investigative agencies, which allow for a coordinated, multidisciplinary response to cases involving children who have been victims of or witnesses to crime. Ensuring a trauma-informed and child-friendly investigative process is critical in the work we do in the region.
Just as critical is the care children and non-offending families receive following the initial investigation. Once a child makes a disclosure, there may be significant life disruptions for them and their family. Having quick and close resources at hand is critical, which can only be accomplished through community partnerships across the region. When we work with children and families on Nantucket, our most relied upon partner is A Safe Place, Inc.
Since 1987, A Safe Place has played a crucial role in the Nantucket community, offering free and confidential services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Dedicated to ending violence and empowering individuals, the organization provides direct support, preventive education, supervised family visitation, crisis intervention, counseling, and advocacy. Children’s Cove and A Safe Place have collaborated for over two decades, coordinating care for child victims and their non-offending family members on the island.
A Safe Place, Inc. stands as a vital pillar of support and advocacy, fully committed to eliminating domestic violence and sexual assault on Nantucket. As a free and confidential resource, it offers a lifeline to individuals from all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, immigration status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, ensuring critical support is accessible to everyone in need.
At its core, A Safe Place provides a comprehensive suite of services designed for immediate relief, ongoing healing, and empowerment. A central component is their 24-hour hotline (508-228-2111), offering immediate crisis intervention and emotional support to those impacted by violence. Beyond crisis response, they facilitate various support groups, creating safe spaces for survivors to connect and find solidarity. Individual trauma therapy is also a cornerstone, providing professional guidance through the healing process. Additionally, A Safe Place assists with the legal process, helping individuals navigate the justice system for protection and accountability. Integrated interpretive services highlight their commitment to accessibility, ensuring language is never a barrier to receiving help.
A Safe Place is also deeply invested in proactive community outreach and education. They regularly host events and conduct training programs to raise awareness, challenge harmful norms, and foster a culture of prevention. By engaging with schools, businesses, and community groups, they educate the public on the signs of domestic violence and sexual assault, promote healthy relationships, and equip individuals to intervene safely and effectively. This preventive approach is crucial for breaking cycles of violence and building a safer, more informed community for future generations.
The importance of A Safe Place to the Nantucket community cannot be overstated, especially given the unique challenges of island life. Nantucket’s geographical isolation can make it difficult to access specialized services from the mainland, making A Safe Place a critical, often sole, dedicated resource for these issues. The island’s tight-knit nature, while fostering strong bonds, can also make it harder for victims to come forward due to fear of judgment or lack of anonymity. A Safe Place’s unwavering commitment to confidentiality and non-judgmental support is paramount, providing a haven where survivors feel safe enough to seek help.
We are continually honored to call the team at A Safe Place our community partners in our vision to have a community free from abuse. We look forward to expanding the ways in which we serve the Nantucket community together.
