Program Overview
Safe Harbour protects and cares for children that have been, or are at risk of being, sexually exploited in Suffolk County.
Funding Generously Provided By:
New York State Office of Children and Family Services and private donations.
Contact Information:
Stephanie Muller, LMSW
Program Supervisor
84 Wheeler Road
Central Islip, NY 11722
stephanie.muller@eac-network.org
(631) 439-0480
Program Description
The Problem:
Any minor who has engaged in sexual acts for a fee or other promised payment (drugs, alcohol, other), loitered or solicited for sexual acts, or has been physically assaulted, threatened, or otherwise coerced into performing sexual acts is a sexually exploited child. Prior to the Safe Harbour Act of 2008, sexually exploited children were prosecuted criminally rather than treated as victims who need supportive services.
Our Solution:
Safe Harbour advocates for and supports children that have been, or are at risk of being, sexually exploited in Suffolk County. Our goal is to provide the education, skills, and support needed for these children to lead safe and meaningful lives.
How We Do It:
Held at our Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center and through community outreach, Safe Harbour offers medical and mental health assessments and case management, as well as, referrals for residential placement, therapy and counseling, vocational counseling, potential police intervention, and community education. When a child is referred to the program, a Case Manager meets with the child and their family to determine which services are needed.
Safe Harbour and the Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center strive to educate the community on human trafficking and how to identify potential victims.
The young girls can also be part of Girls Group, a therapeutic support group, which offers art therapy, group bonding, and educational components.
How You Can Help:
- Safe Harbour is looking for clothing (for ages 11-18), packaged snacks, unused toiletries, & art supplies.
- To support Safe Harbour with a gift, click here or call (516) 539-0150 x127.
The Outcomes of Safe Harbour
Since Safe Harbour’s inception in 2014, it has provided one-on-one services for almost 400 female youth.
Thousands of local professionals have been educated on sexual exploitation and how to identify it.
Over 60 young girls have participated in therapeutic support groups run out of local residential facilities for teenage girls.
