S.A.F.E. House Reflects on 30 Years of Shelter Serving the Community

LAS VEGAS – Southern Nevada’s most trusted domestic violence organization, S.A.F.E. House, is reflecting on 30 years of its shelter offering valley-wide services. Opened in 1996, the domestic violence shelter has committed to Stop Abuse in the Family Environment by providing a comprehensive range of services – backed by three decades of building community partnerships and upholding statewide accountability standards. 

“S.A.F.E. House is more than just a shelter for victims of domestic violence and their families, we walk alongside survivors through every stage of their journey, addressing barriers like pet care, immigration concerns, housing instability, and family reunification,” said Beth Flory, Chief Executive Officer of S.A.F.E. House. “All of our programs are rooted in trauma-informed care, cultural competency, and the understanding that each survivor’s journey is unique. We’re here to provide not just safety, but stability, dignity, and hope for what comes next.” 

Shelter Origins

 When S.A.F.E. House was founded in 1994, emergency shelter was provided at a 700-square-foot townhome with 12 beds (six bunk beds) that was owned by St. Rose Dominican Hospital. Due to an overwhelming need, and with support from the City of Henderson and private donors, S.A.F.E. House expanded two years later, building its current shelter with 54 beds, a boutique, and an onsite counseling office. In 2020, after partnering with The Giving Store, the shelter converted its boutique space into additional sleeping quarters, increasing capacity to 62 beds. The shelter continues to be upgraded and modernized to enhance the experience for residents and recently completed a comprehensive bathroom renovation funded by a $168,000 grant from the City of Henderson. The project replaced sinks, toilets, shower enclosures, and addressed 30-year-old plumbing that had been causing leaks and water damage.

“When I was a victim of domestic violence, there was no place to escape from my abuser,” said Julie Proctor, Founder and former Executive Director of S.A.F.E. House. “So, when the City of Henderson, private builders, and the community rallied alongside our board and founders to build our own, dedicated shelter, they were creating a lifeline I know many survivors wish they’d had back then. The day we opened the shelter doors, I cried tears of joy knowing we could save so many more lives.”

Community Necessity According to a 2024 report from the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, 44% of women and 33% of men will experience intimate partner violence at some point in their lives. That same year, the Coalition served 13,209 new victims across the state – 8,975 of them in Clark County – and reported 49 domestic violence-related homicides in comparison to 2023.

“It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the numbers, especially when you hear or see reports that Nevada ranks second in the nation for domestic violence,” Flory said. “For victims and survivors in Southern Nevada, access to resources like S.A.F.E. House can mean the difference between life and death.”

Since July 2025 alone, S.A.F.E. House’s 62-bed emergency shelter has housed 176 individuals (110 adults and 66 children) and counting, and provided thousands of safe bed nights for survivors and their families with additional support through housing assistance, advocacy, and critical resources.

S.A.F.E. House Legacy

S.A.F.E. House’s longstanding commitment to the community includes serving 420+ shelter residents, 220+ counseling clients, and 1,170+ advocacy clients annually. Advocates stationed in the North Las Vegas City Attorney’s office and Henderson Police Department each handle approximately 100 cases per month. Since its founding, S.A.F.E. House has continuously evolved its services based on emerging best practices, community needs, and survivor feedback.

“Thirty years represents more than longevity for us,” Flory added. “It represents our impact; thousands of lives protected, families reunited, and futures restored. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and we’re committed to continuing this work for the next 30 years and beyond.”

Client-Centered Approach

S.A.F.E. House’s services are designed to meet survivors where they are – addressing immediate safety needs while building a foundation for long-term stability and independence. S.A.F.E. House offers assistance with free and paid programs and services including shelter & emergency services, housing assistance, counseling, advocacy, and community outreach and education.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship or needs help, call S.A.F.E. House’s 24-hour hotline at 702-564-3227 to speak confidentially with an advocate. For more information about S.A.F.E. House and its comprehensive programs and services, visit www.safehousenv.org.

About S.A.F.E. House

What started off as a small, grassroots mission to stop domestic violence, grew into a lifelong mission for Julie Proctor, one of the many co-founders of S.A.F.E. House. Julie was a victim herself and knew that this could not continue in the community. Together, with Ken Proctor, and eight other dedicated volunteers, they established the first domestic violence shelter in Henderson.

Over the last three decades, S.A.F.E. House has transformed into one of the most comprehensive domestic violence organizations in the state. Since its inception, S.A.F.E. House has provided shelter, counseling, advocacy, housing assistance, and education to more than 100,000 people. S.A.F.E. House has provided services to victims of domestic violence in a holistic way that includes providing a full complement of services to victims from all races and backgrounds, offering culturally competent and linguistically competent services based on a trauma-informed model that responds to the individuals’ needs.

If you are in an abusive relationship or know of someone in an abusive relationship, call S.A.F.E. House’s 24-hour hotline to speak confidentially with an advocate at 702-564-3227. For more information about S.A.F.E. House and its services, visit www.safehousenv.org.

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Media Contact

Briana Philippi

GYC Vegas

(702) 461-6065 Briana@gycvegas.com