I was in Wild Oats this morning.  Halfway down an aisle I could hear a man shouting and cussing at a woman up near the front of the store.  I thought of the training for just a second and it gave me the “courage boost” I needed to go and investigate what was happening.  I arrived to find an angry customer yelling at one of my favorite cashiers.  He was really out of line and taking his frustration out on her.  So my response was to walk right up to him and stand next to him and stare only at him.  Being a conscious witness was effective enough, I did not even have to say anything, and he did not continue his ranting. I have to admit I was relieved because it still feels scary in the moment to come up with something to actually say to the person!  Once he left, I continued my shopping.  Then I went through the same check out line and told her that I was sorry that happened to her and the she really did not deserve to be yelled at no matter how upset he was.  It was interesting because her first response was to downplay it and say that “it was okay” and I looked at her and said “Actually, it really is not okay to be treated that way.”  She paused and smiled and said “You know your right.”   She also commented that she noticed what I did coming up to the line and thanked me for doing it.

Thank you for the Safe Haven training.  I think the adrenaline management I learned through IMPACT workshops combined with your important training did give me more awareness this morning to take action even if I was not sure exactly what I would do once I arrived at the scene of the disturbance.  

-Anji Estrellas, IMPACT Personal Safety

On Wednesday, May 8, Acoma Optical became the first business in Santa Fe to become a Safe Haven for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Five members of the Acoma Optical staff were trained in how to provide a safe place for survivors who ask for help - both physically and emotionally - and where to make referrals for help.

The Safe Haven training, given by staff of the Santa Fe Rape Crisis and Trauma Treatment Center and Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families, was developed to give business a chance to learn about the problem of violence and how to be of help.  The hope is that the more places that when many businesses in Santa Fe display the Safe Haven sticker, which says "Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking are Safe Here", victims and perpetrators of violence will realize that violence is no longer accepted in our community.