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What is a Safe Home?

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A Safe Home is a secure and confidential shelter offering protection, essential care, psychological support, and maximum security for victims and survivors of violence. It provides a temporary or, in some cases, long-term refuge for those in need.

 
The Safe Home offers shelter, nutrition, clothing, medical care, legal aid, psychosocial support, education, creative arts, recreation, family tracing, and follow-up services for women and children who have experienced sexual or gender-based violence.

Clients are referred by:

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  1. The Women and Children Protection Section (WACPS) of the Liberia National Police (LNP)

  2. One-Stop Centers (OSC) for the clinical management of SGBV

  3. Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ministry of Health, Sex Crimes Unit, Juvenile Division of the Ministry of Justice, County Attorney’s Office, and Juvenile Court at the Temple of Justice

  4. World Hope International

  5. Local and international NGOs

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Cases Accepted

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The THINK Safe Home supports survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), human trafficking, and domestic violence.

 

The Safe Home, or what is sometimes referred to as the Juvenile Transit Center, accommodates children who have come into contact with the law due to minor offenses, as well as victims of child abuse, neglect, abandonment, or parental incarceration. Girls who are missing, lost, or in need of protection are also received.

Boys aged eight and under may be accepted for short-term protection, as the centers primarily serve women and girls.

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Rules and Regulations

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Upon admission, residents are informed of Safe Home rules. They are welcomed and provided with food, clean clothing, and hygiene support. Mobile phones and valuables are securely stored until reunification. Compliance with national Safe Home guidelines is mandatory—two violations lead to termination, with the referring agency notified and the client returned.

Code of Conduct

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All staff sign a Code of Conduct aligned with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection’s child protection standards. THINK upholds strict adherence to these regulations.

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Before admitting a survivor, the THINK team evaluates whether Safe Home services are necessary or if community-level support is more suitable. If a missing child can provide a home address, efforts are made for same-day reunification. THINK does not accommodate children needing long-term care, such as abandoned mentally challenged children, and refers such cases to the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.

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Clients are admitted with a referral document, and their details are recorded in the Safe Home logbook, registration form, and supplies sheet. Personal belongings are documented and securely stored. Stays typically range from one day to three months, depending on the case. Social workers track each client’s progress and liaise with referring agencies.​

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Confidentiality Protocols

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To maintain confidentiality, THINK provides all transportation to and from the Safe Home. Social workers from external agencies cannot visit without prior arrangement. Visitors must sign a Confidentiality Consent Form, ensuring the Safe Home’s location remains undisclosed.

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Challenges Providing Services

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  • Lack of direct funding since UNICEF’s initial support ended in 2009

  • Insufficient government financial incentives for qualified staff

  • Public misunderstanding of Safe Home services and their role in addressing SGBV

  • Cessation of government subsidies since 2013​

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​​​Opportunities

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  • Low staff turnover due to confidentiality requirements

  • Committed personnel dedicated to the mission

  • Social Workers assigned by the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection​​​

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