Safe Connections-St. Louis Metro Area

10/24/2026

*SPOILER ALERT!
We are loving preparing for our next Lotus Lounge book "Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement" by Tarana Burke!
*Reminder: Date has been changed to Tuesday December 8 at 7:00pm via Zoom.

10/24/2026

Can we tell you a not-so secret??
It is highly unlikely that someone is lying if they disclose abuse or assault. The data shows less than 7% (and that is even likely lower!) How we respond to celebrities, politicians, or other people's disclosures of harm will impact if the people around us reach out for help or share their story.

10/23/2026

Missouri Coalition of Domestic and Sexual Violence’s 2026 Conference is less than 2 weeks away! Stephanie Null from St. Louis Anti-Violence Project and Emily Stoinski from Safe Connections will be presenting Beyond the Basics: Navigating LGBTQIA+ Safety & Support. This highly interactive session will discuss a variety of topics including rates of LGBTQIA+ survivorship, myths, masculinity, and assessments while also allowing participants to role play in a safe, supportive environment.

If you haven't registered yet, there's still time! Registration will remain open until the end of the first day of conference. The deadline to book a hotel within the Coalition's block at the conference rate is October 30. After October 30, MOCADSV and the Wyndham Hotel cannot guarantee room availability or price.

We hope anti-violence agencies across the state will register today and join us for this important presentation! Register today: https://www.mocadsv.org/2026-conference/.

10/23/2026

Who is supporting survivors in sports?
Criminal charges that get dropped, viral videos of assault, high paying contracts awarded to individuals named as those who have caused harm- all of these things send a message.
"Their career matters more", "Get over it", "No one believes you", "We don't want to hear the impacts of harm on you"
What is our response when these headlines come up? Are we holding sports, players, and decision makers accountable with our platforms, our dollars, etc.?

10/22/2026

Have you read the St. Louis City Domestic Violence Fatality Review Panel Report???
For over four years, our staff participated in the St. Louis City Domestic Violence Fatality Review Panel, a multi-disciplinary team reviewing previous cases of domestic violence homicide-suicides to prevent future incidents. This report includes recommendations for how we can all help make our communities safer. Scan the QR code or go to this link:https://safeconnections.org/app/uploads/2026/08/2026-DVFRP-Report.pdf to read the full report.

10/21/2026

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we are standing in solidarity with ALL survivors, including those from the LGBTQIA+ community.

That is why we are proud to stand alongside the St. Louis Anti-Violence Project . STLAVP works behind the scenes to ensure LGBTQIA+ survivors aren't left behind. They actively bridge the gap to care by training our local community members, businesses, and service providers on how to better support LGBTQIA+ survivors.

No one should have to navigate violence or healing alone. We encourage everyone to check out these local resources and safe, supportive spaces available across the St. Louis area:

ALIVE Inc. : 314-993-2777, 24/7 Crisis Line
The Angel Band Project : 800-656-HOPE, 24/7 assistance
Crime Victim Center : Counseling, referrals, resources, and advocacy 314-652-3623
Safe Connections: 314-531-2003 , 24-Hour Crisis Helpline
St. Louis Queen Support and Healing (SQSH) Peer Support Line: 314-380-7774 / Toll-free: 844-785-7774Open Hours: Friday through Monday, 1–7pm CT OR visit their Resource Book at https://www.sqshbook.org/

10/21/2026

FREE Program!
Join us virtually tonight at 6:00pm for "Moving Forward After A Break-Up", hosted by St. Louis County Library. Register at this link:

Presented by Safe Connections Explore the emotional impact of rejection and breakups while learning when to walk away or set boundaries. Discuss practical ways to support yourself and others through the challenges of becoming newly single. Adults. Registration required. A recording of this virtual p...

10/20/2026

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we are standing in solidarity with ALL survivors, including those from the LGBTQIA+ community.

Intimate partner violence affects people across every community, but LGBTQIA+ individuals experience relationship violence at equal or higher rates than non-LGBTQIA+ individuals—often while facing unique barriers to finding safe, affirming care.

No one should have to navigate violence or healing alone.

We are proud to stand alongside St. Louis Anti-Violence Project as they help create inclusive, safe spaces for our area’s LGBTQIA+ survivors.

10/20/2026

WHAT A WEEKEND!
Thank You THANK YOU, Diamond Diva Empowerment Foundation, for welcoming us to the 6th Annual Domestic Violence Rally/Walk! This event fills us with so much hope seeing so many community members coming together to show love and support for survivors! We love our community so much!

(First photo credit: Diamond Diva Empowerment Foundation)

10/19/2026

What if? It's the question we want to ask this Invisible Disabilities Week. Inspired by Rob Hopkins's "What If?" imagining the world we wish to live in as a daily practice, we wondered how a world that is as inclusive as possible could look.

Can you imagine with us? How we might center our communities around folks with PTSD, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, mental illness, Crohn’s disease, traumatic brain injuries, diabetes, and other invisible disabilities? Let's do what Hopkins suggests and start with What If...

What if we created communities with gentle slopes and accessible entrances everywhere? What if we had no “hustle culture” and more time, whether it’s for entering an elevator or completing CAPTCHAs? What if we had trauma-informed education and active listening practice at work and school, and more free third spaces, places to ground and regulate, and food and shelter for all? What if "grammar policing" wasn't a thing on social media, and we encouraged plain language use, and patience and understanding with speech and writing? Universal design in places like Denmark and Singapore is already bringing some of these possibilities to life!

People with disabilities experience violence at almost four times the rate of the rest of the population, and the r**e and sexual assault that they experience is reported at a significantly lower rate. From lack of education to communication challenges and much more, the barriers that stand between survivors with disabilities and receiving support are many, but none of them have to exist. As Hopkins reminds us, we don't have to see things as being "impossible," just "not yet."

What do you envision for an inclusive world where everyone's needs are met? Share your ideas in the comments. Even better, create your own collage to look at each day!

[Caption: Cute fox cartoon walks in a pile of fall leaves and asks, "What if we centered people with disabilities in our world?" Each "What If" statement above is listed along with a leaf. "Celebrating Invisible Disabilities Week" followed by Safe Connections logo.]