HISTORY
Safeline was formed in the early 1980s by a group of concerned women who sought to aid their neighbors and friends who were experiencing domestic and sexual abuse. At that time, few supportive options were available for victims, especially given the rural nature of Safeline’s service area. The group began helping victims escape dangerous situations by picking them up and providing confidential shelter. They also established Vermont’s first toll-free hotline for victims of domestic and sexual violence. This crucial service inspired the organization’s name: Safeline.
In 1992, after several years of operating strictly on a volunteer basis, Safeline incorporated, hired paid staff and began offering a wider array of services. As other domestic and sexual violence programs began to incorporate across the state, Safeline joined the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.