As the only university with a domestic violence shelter on a college campus, MSU Safe Place helps promote awareness through counseling, advocacy programs and support groups.
The shelter was founded in 1994 by Joanne McPherson, MSU’s first lady. It provides 12 beds for anyone in the Lansing area who needs to remain protected for up to 30 days.
There is no waiting list at the shelter, which operates from an undisclosed location to ensure victims’ safety.
Holly Rosen, director of MSU Safe Place, said she is surprised other campuses don’t have programs like theirs.
“I wish we didn’t have a need for these services,” she said. “But I am proud to be on a campus that has a domestic violence program.”
Rosen said the need for these programs is necessary - 25 to 30 percent of men and women have experienced relationship violence by the time they are in college.
Erica Schmittdiel is an advocacy coordinator for MSU Safe Place who came to MSU after working at the CADA shelter, a domestic violence shelter in Lansing. She said she’s impressed with the program.
“I think that clients receive quality service from the shelter, and I am happy we are able to offer those services,” she said.
With the help of James Epolito, president of the Accident Fund Company in Lansing, the shelter facilitates discussion and awareness programs with employees across Michigan. The Accident Fund Company is a workers’ compensation insurance company.
“I just didn’t want to be involved as giving money to it. I thought our company could embrace it,” Epolito said. “Violence in the home carries over to violence in the workplace.”
Epolito works with MSU Safe Place to send letters to companies in Michigan and place curriculum into workplaces. A fee is charged to companies that participate, which helps fund MSU Safe Place.
Epolito said the program has been very effective.
“It’s very hard to get this issue to be discussed within companies. But people love the program and believe it really helps,” he said.
MSU Safe Place also features “silent silhouettes,” life-sized wooden figures of women killed in domestic violence assaults.
MSU Safe Place is in the process of building 15-20 more replicas of men, women and children. For more information on getting a silhouette built of a friend or family member, call (517)355-1100.
