Safe Journey

SafeJourney: A Life Line for Surviving Domestic Abuse.

North Memorial SafeJourney is a hospital-based domestic abuse advocacy program that provides a compassionate and informed response team of both trained medical personnel and volunteer advocates. Together, they address the medical, safety, emotional, and economic needs of those whose lives are shaken by intimate partner violence.

SafeJourney services are free and confidential, and are available to community members as well as for patients of North Memorial.

SafeJourney ensures that victims have access to more than treatment for their medical injuries and a telephone referral for further services. Medical staff screen patients for violence issues and document any injuries resulting from domestic violence. Volunteer advocates provide a lifeline for victims and their families in need of safe housing, orders for protection, financial assistance, documentation of injuries, and individual safety planning.

2009 Program Summary

  • Total abuse victims served : 1,212
    Abuse victims Receiving Individual Assistance: 617
    Abuse victims Receiving Follow Up Support Services: 432
    SafeJourney Support Groups: 163
  • Ages: 16-92 years
  • Gender: (data collected on 461 victims)
    Female, 440 (95%); Male, 16 (5%)
  • Income: (data collected on 461 victims)
    Low or limited income, 264 (57%)
  • Race/Ethnicity: (data collected on 346 victims)
    African American, 146 (42%); Caucasian, 164 (47%);
    Other persons of color, 36 (11%)
  • 129 volunteers contributing 15,294 hours of service; Value of $309,703 In Kind Service
  • 836 individuals receiving community education on domestic abuse
  • 256 medical professionals attending specialized training
  • 61 new clinics, departments, and agencies receiving domestic abuse literature and SafeJourney brochures for patients.
  • 6 High Schools receiving SafeJourney information.
  • Over 10,000 individuals learning about SafeJourney from press releases, newsletters, radio programs.