See Services and Programs for Victims of Domestic Abuse

Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter

El Refugio’s emergency shelter is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Services are free, and we assist with life skills development, children’s activities, safety planning, educational classes, and providing necessary referrals and resources.

Transitional Housing services and Rapid Re-Housing services are also available. Temporary shelter is provided for up to 90 days, with 30-day reviews. Safety and security are provided, along with case management services and educational programs.

Victim Advocacy Department

Our trained victim advocates assist with filing Domestic Violence Protection Orders, support at court hearings, and advocate for client needs. We offer assistance with safety planning, crisis intervention, victims’ rights education, and we assist clients with proper referrals and resources.

Victim Advocates will provide support and empathy, evaluate specific risk factors for lethal violence to victims or their children and family, identify concerns and goals and safety planning to minimize danger, take precautions, and gain some control over the situation.

Counseling

El Refugio offers adult therapy services and play therapy for children. Our counselors assist with safety planning, educational classes, and providing necessary resources and referrals to our clients.

Adult counseling allows each woman/man to review their life circumstances and make the necessary changes in a relationship of trust with their therapist. Children’s counseling services are designed to meet the emotional and developmental needs of each child we serve.

Domestic Violence Offenders Treatment & Intervention

The DVOTI program is a 52-week program for men and women offenders referred through the the Grand County or Hidalgo courts, with weekly group sessions. Attendance and completion of the DVOTI Program are monitored and reported monthly to the courts.

This program’s role is part of a coordinated community response to Domestic Violence, with victim safety and offender accountability as the primary goals.

Domestic Violence Education and Community Outreach

El Refugio provides community outreach and education prevention on domestic violence in community-wide settings to learn more about our programs and services, presentations on the dynamics of domestic violence; community resources for victims of domestic violence, and strategies for breaking the cycle of violence in our community.

Groups or organizations interested may call El Refugio for presentations or information on our services.

Rapid Re-Housing

The Rapid Re-Housing Program assists in transitioning participants into community-based housing after discharging from El Refugio, Inc.’s emergency shelter.

The RRH manager also provides case management while assisting in linking participants to education, employment, budgeting strategies/money management, and addressing any social issues that may lead to homelessness, criminal behavior, or otherwise non-productive lifestyles.

El Refugio

800 S. Robert Street
Silver City, NM 88061
Office: (575) 538-2125
Fax: (575) 538-0495
[email protected]

Crisis Hotline

New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Complaints/Grievances

El Refugio, Inc. maintains a policy of open communication to ensure integrity and respect among staff and clients. Should a client/potential client feel that they have been treated unfairly, they may contact:

El Refugio, Inc.: Executive Director, Rachel Sierra – (575) 538-2125

New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation Commission: Director, Frank Zubia – (505) 841-9433

CYFD Behavioral Health Services: Domestic Violence Unit Manager, David River – (505) 795-1645