Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter

My experience with harbor house as a person who experienced abuse was actually very scary. They are not educated on the different types and degrees of abuse. They do not understand how complicated situations can be. That aside, the volunteers were rude and dismissive. I expressed my discomfort with providing my name and personal details many times and they kept pushing. I was told different advice from different support workers. One told me to never involve the police and another told me different. I was unable to make it to a meeting with the outreach lady and when I tried to call to apologize and try to reschedule, I was basically written off and told to call WASAC when s***** abuse was not part of what I was going through. I thought maybe WASAC would have resources that harbor house doesn't but its specifically for SA victims. I was not able to leave my situation and after a few months of trying to do my best and deal with it, it got bad again and I called again. They seemed supportive until they got my name and I was turned away again. I mentioned this in that same phone call and how concerning it was for not only me but the other women who might need and trust this service and my number was actually blocked (this was also the call where they basically demanded my name and also refused to identify themselves). They are not educated, they are not compassionate and they wont work with you if you act like a victim of abuse. You must make sure that THEY are comfortable. Which sounds a lot like the situation I was desperate to get out of. Trying to work with these people actually kept me in my situation longer than if i had not reached out to them at all. They need to be investigated, especially since they do get money for the "help" they are supposed to provide. I have family members that attend Galentine's day which is a fundraiser and it's extremely performative and indulgent. Very pat themselves on the back 🙄 and they expect far more than gratitude from you. They want you to kiss their feet. Again, like the abusers so many people are calling for help to get away from.

I referred a friend here that called because she is being abused amoung other thing I will not disclose. She called them and they have not even bothered returning a phone call they said they would. If you say you are here in this community to help battered women that is exactly what you should do. It is a disgrace that women reach out for help even though they are scared to do so just to be ignored!! This is also NOT Christian like behavior!!!It highly disgusts me that people say they are a Christian organization here to help woman in certain circumstances yet choose to turn an eye. That is Not Godlike!!!

Great place and great cause