Area Served
Safe Passage in Colorado Springs, Colorado, serves the Fourth Judicial District in El Paso and Teller Counties. Founded in 1993, Safe Passage serves over 900 children each year. Funding for this critical organization is provided through grants, community donations, corporate sponsorships and collaborating agency support. No fees are charged to the child or family.

Core Services Provided
Safe Passage, a community based non-profit Children's Advocacy Center, provides a comfortable, child-friendly setting serving child victims and child witnesses of sexual abuse - ages birth to 18 years. Our mission is to help sexually abused children begin to heal by providing comprehensive crisis intervention and support services including: forensic interviews, forensic medical exams, court preparation, and referrals to community resources and counseling. Safe Passage provides training to professionals in the child abuse intervention system to ensure a coordinated multidisciplinary response for child victims.

Forensic Interviews

• Safe Passage's onsite forensic interviewers and state-of-the-art videotaping capability:
• Minimize trauma for the child
• Maximize the information gathered
• Minimize contamination of the interview for a potential trial

Forensic Medical Exams

• Non-intrusive, head-to-toe exams can be performed onsite by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE)

• Medical assessments are funded by law enforcement as a part of their investigation.

Court Preparation

The goal of the Court Preparation program is to educate child victims and their parents about the court process and includes:

• Individual court preparation with children
• Support in court while testifying
• Court orientation sessions for parents

Referrals to Community Resources and Counseling

Safe Passage's Family Support Advocates provide families with support and necessary referrals to community resources. In addition, Safe Passage offers support groups for child victims and their families:

• Girls group – girls age 9 – 12
• Teen Group – girls age 13 – 18
• Parent Support Group
• 8 week group for Non-offending Parents of children who have been sexually abused by a family member
• Sibling Incest Parent Group
• 3rd Party Parent Support Group

Coordinated MultiDisciplinary Response

Team review meetings bring professionals together in a neutral environment to discuss case progress, problems, and to address the best interests of the child and family.

Training for Professionals

The Western Regional Children's Advocacy Center, as a program of Safe Passage, coordinates training needs for professionals involved with child abuse.

Trainings are offered throughout the year and topics include:

• Dynamics of the Sexually Abusive Family
• Forensic Interviewing
• Medical Training

Training for Professionals

Community Outreach Programs

Safe Passage also provides programs for community outreach to churches and schools as requested.

Brown Bag Roundtables are held throughout the year for community professionals who work with children and families. The goal is to build competency and awareness regarding issues of common interest.

Church Outreach Program Goals:

• To provide education and training for clergy members regarding identifying and reporting child abuse
• Raise awareness concerning the need for church policies regarding the screening, hiring, and supervision of church workers and volunteers

School Outreach Program Goals:

• To provide education and training for educators and school staff regarding identifying and reporting child abuse
• Encourage school professionals to confidently handle all reports of abuse by supporting the child without interfering with the investigation

Service Availability

Safe Passage is located at 423 South Cascade Avenue in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8-5 pm. If you have any questions about any of our programs or services, or if you would like a tour of our facility, please contact us at 636-2460.