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The Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention

Our Mission

The Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention is a social change agency dedicated to serving all survivors of sexual violence and co-victims of violent death, including homicide and suicide, at any point following their experience through exemplary direct services, advocacy, education, training, and activism.

It all began with a red phone...

The Shafer Center started as a red phone in the University of Southern Mississippi counseling center. There was an overwhelming need for support for victims in the Hattiesburg area after what headlines had dubbed the "West Side Rapist" began sexually assaulting college-age women. The number of survivors began to increase and it was suggested that a counseling center might be helpful. In 1983 several USM staff and students came together to form what was then known as the Hattiesburg Rape Crisis Center. Since then the name has been changed to the Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention, but the mission remains the same. The Shafer Center has helped hundreds of men and women cope with the tragedy of sexual assault, homicide, and suicide.

Who We Serve

The Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention serves 11 counties in Mississippi:

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• Covington • Forrest • Greene •

• Jasper • Jefferson Davis •

• Perry • Jones • Lamar • Marion •

• Smith • Wayne •

    

We provide services to women, children, men, and gender-nonconforming individuals of all ages that are primary and secondary victims. We provide our services to everyone, no matter their gender, race, sexual orientation, and marital status.

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Additionally, The Shafer Center works closely with the University of Southern Mississippi to provide supportive services and education to its staff, employees, and students.

Funding

The Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention is a nonprofit organization. We receive funding from the following list.

 

Here is a list of those who help keep us up and running:

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  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Victims of Crime Act Grant (VOCA)

  • Mississippi State Department of Health

  • Forrest County Board of Supervisors

  • Violence Against Women Act Grant (VAWA)

  • United Way of Southeast Mississippi

  • United Way of the Pine Belt Region

  • Various private donations and contributions

  • Thousands of Volunteer Hours

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