A Sign of Hope

The Faribault Hope Center’s “Safeline” lends an ear to victims of domestic violence when no one else will listen

       In the midst of International Week for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, people everywhere have been stepping up to fight domestic violence.  Rallies, events, even a recent parade of men sporting an array of high heel shoes have all caught the attention of this continuing tragedy.  But while a stampede of men running around in red pumps is an incredible gesture to raise awareness of domestic violence, the only support the victims are getting by this spectacle is a good laugh while watching them trod down the racetrack.  Where events like this may draw attention to the issue but lack in emotional guidance for victims, the Hope Center in Faribault, Minnesota picks up the slack.

       The Hope Center is a nonprofit organization that helps victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.  Their 24-hour Safeline allows victims to contact the center whenever they need assistance, whether they are seeking advice, legal help, or simply someone who will listen.  “I feel like I am helping the cause by just being there,” David Lopez, a certified crisis counselor, says. “By doing something as simple as listening, you’re letting them [the victim] know that they are not alone.”  Lopez, a recent graduate of University of California at Berkeley, sought out the Hope Center to gain counseling experience for graduate school.  “When I came to Minnesota, I sought out organizations that would allow me to do some form of counseling,” He explains, “I came across the Hope Center and fell in love with their work.  I really feel like I am making a difference.”

       The mission of the Hope Center is to create zero-tolerance for sexual and domestic violence through healing, outreach, prevention, and education.  These four pillars are the foundation of the center.  Intense preparation for volunteers like Lopez revolves around these pillars, and a minimum of 40 hours of training is required to be a part of the Hope Center.  Representatives from women’s shelters, LGBT communities, domestic abuse victims, psychology professionals, and college professors of social welfare are all invited to work with the volunteers to discuss what to say to victims, how to handle difficult situations, and where to send victims for help or refuge.  “It is amazing how many sides to every story there are,” Lopez explains, “I have heard from victims who have overcome abuse, victims who are currently going through abuse, and abusers themselves who have gone through rehabilitation.  The healing process that the victims endure is inspirational.” 

       Community outreach is especially important to the Hope Center, because many people are not aware of what the center can offer.  “We get a lot of calls and requests for information in the fall because that is when the Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence Awareness campaign starts every year,” Lopez says, “It would be great to be able to maintain that awareness year-round, because there are a lot of victims who don’t have the voice to stand up for themselves when they feel they are not supported by the rest of the community.”  The Hope Center satisfies the education pillar of their mission statement by holding events and reaching out to schools in the Faribault area.  Local high schools distribute information from the center regarding sexual abuse and domestic violence to educate their students about the dangers of these issues and how to prevent them. 

       “The Candlelight Vigil at Faribault Central Park was without a doubt one of the most impactful experiences I have ever had in my life,” Lopez explains about the Hope Center outreach event that took place this past October.  Community members from all around the Faribault area participated in the event; each person was given a card with the name, age, and story of someone who had passed away from domestic violence.  Ages of the victims ranged from young children to elderly adults.  “It gave the community a chance to connect with those who have suffered abuse,” says Lopez.  Two speakers presented at the vigil; one was a survivor of domestic violence, the other was currently going through it.  Lopez believes that the entire event illustrated what the Hope Center does and how they help victims.  After the speakers presented their story, everyone who participated in the event lit a candle for each victim represented on the cards.  “It was very emotional.”

       As the end of the fall season draws near, the domestic abuse awareness campaigns also come to an end.  The Hope Center believes it is important for the community to still stand strong against sexual abuse and domestic violence throughout the year.  “It is important for others to support the Hope Center because their work is not something to be glossed over or forgotten,” Lopez says, “the Safeline is a support system for anyone who seeks help, and the amount of people committing their time to support these victims is incredible.”  At the center in Faribault, there are over 100 advocates who rotate shifts for the Safeline.  Each advocate is expected to commit to two six-hour shifts per month so the Safeline is always accessible to anyone who wishes to utilize it.  The most challenging part of the advocate’s job is when the victim has an issue that is difficult to solve, according to Lopez.  The Hope Center prepares the advocates and counselors for such circumstances by giving proper training and always having a back-up advocate leader a phone call away to address these situations.  By allowing a 24-hour service, the center opens up to all victims of sexual and domestic violence to reassure them that they are not alone. 

       “The most important thing to remember when volunteering is that you are not doing this for yourself," Lopez says.  He hopes that the Hope Center will continue to thrive in the future, hopefully by gaining momentum and spreading to other counties.  Community support though, is an important variable to its success.  “If a place like this were to lose its support or funding, what would happen to the countless number of victims who rely on these services for guidance?” he wonders.  “That’s a thought I hope never has to become a reality.”