Breaking Silence: The Haven Real Talk

07/31/2026

Online Silent Auction!

Uniting the community one fundraiser at a time.

07/27/2026

!!!TONIGHT at 5PM!!!

Every budget tells a story. Behind the Budget explores how government decisions, funding priorities, legislation, and public policy shape the services that impact our communities. From domestic violence and sexual assault programs to nonprofit funding and public safety, we break down complex issues into conversations everyone can understand.

Government decisions don't end in the Capitol, they reach our neighborhoods, schools, nonprofits, and families.

What happens when funding for domestic violence and sexual assault services is reduced while the need for those services continues to grow?

In our upcoming podcast, we take an honest look at Georgia's recent budget decisions, what they mean for survivors, and how they impact the agencies working every day to provide safety, advocacy, and hope.

This is more than a conversation about budgets, it's about real people, real communities, and the future of victim services across Georgia. Magnolia House - Waycross Area Shelter for Abused Persons, Inc. The Haven The Refuge Domestic Violence Shelter

What happens when funding for domestic violence and sexual assault ...

07/27/2026

What happens when funding for domestic violence and sexual assault services is reduced while the need for those services continues to grow?

In our upcoming podcast, we take an honest look at Georgia's recent budget decisions, what they mean for survivors, and how they impact the agencies working every day to provide safety, advocacy, and hope.
Join us TONIGHT at 5PM, let's talk!

07/24/2026

Podcast dropping Monday at 5...

What happens when funding for domestic violence and sexual assault services is reduced while the need for those services continues to grow?

In our upcoming podcast, we take an honest look at Georgia's recent budget decisions, what they mean for survivors, and how they impact the agencies working every day to provide safety, advocacy, and hope.

This is more than a conversation about budgets, it's about real people, real communities, and the future of victim services across Georgia.

Check out this exclusive sneak peek, and stay tuned for the full episode. You won't want to miss this important discussion.

06/25/2026

Gov. Kemp trimmed more than 300 million dollars from the state budget, including 13 million for domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse agencies.

For organizations like The Haven, Magnolia House - Waycross Area Shelter for Abused Persons, Inc., The Refuge Domestic Violence Shelter and others across the state, this funding represents more than dollars, it represents safe nights for families fleeing abuse, advocates standing beside survivors in hospitals and courtrooms, crisis intervention at all hours, and hope for those rebuilding their lives.

The Haven, a domestic violence shelter in Valdosta, is among various other programs affected after Governor Brian Kemp vetoed funding for next year’s budget.

06/22/2026

Georgia’s survivors need our support now more than ever.
Recent state budget decisions eliminated $13 million in proposed funding for Georgia’s domestic violence shelters and sexual assault centers, leaving many programs across the state facing difficult choices about staffing, shelter capacity, advocacy services, and prevention efforts.

For organizations like The Haven, Magnolia House - Waycross Area Shelter for Abused Persons, Inc. and others across the state, this funding represents more than dollars, it represents safe nights for families fleeing abuse, advocates standing beside survivors in hospitals and courtrooms, crisis intervention at all hours, and hope for those rebuilding their lives.

The need for these services has not decreased. Survivors in our community still deserve safety, dignity, and access to life-saving support.

As we move forward, community support will be more important than ever. Whether you volunteer, donate, attend our events, or simply share our mission, you help ensure that survivors in South Georgia know they are not alone.

Together, we can continue to provide hope, healing, and a path to a safer future.

The two dozen beds at the Haven, a domestic violence shelter in Valdosta, are almost never enough, according to Executive Director Michelle Girtman. Rising demand for services and years of declining government support have left the south Georgia shelter — along with more than 50 domestic violence ...

05/20/2026

The new TAKE IT DOWN Act is a major step forward for survivors of sexual assault, exploitation, and online abuse. This federal law strengthens protections against the nonconsensual sharing of intimate images (including AI-generated deepfakes and revenge p**n) and now requires covered online platforms to remove reported content within 48 hours!

For many survivors, digital victimization does not end when the abuse stops. The emotional trauma, fear, humiliation, and ongoing harm caused by the spread of intimate images online can be devastating. This law gives survivors more power, more protection, and a clearer path to reclaiming their privacy and dignity.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual exploitation or image-based abuse, you are not alone. Help and support are available.

05/19/2026

NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT NOW! From Surviving to Serving: Rose Wilson’s Story

In this powerful episode, we sit down with survivor and advocate Rose Wilson as she shares her journey through extreme domestic violence, the courage it took...

05/18/2026

NEW PODCAST EPISODE TONIGHT EST: From Surviving to Serving: Rose Wilson’s Story

In this powerful episode, we sit down with survivor and advocate Rose Wilson as she shares her journey through extreme domestic violence, the courage it took to flee abuse, and the strength required to rebuild her life. Today, Rose uses her experience to help others through her support group, Domestic Violence Everyday, partnering with shelters and churches to provide hope, resources, and support to survivors and their families.

This conversation is raw, honest, and inspiring. Highlighting not only the realities of domestic violence, but also the resilience, healing, and purpose that can follow survival.

Content Warning: This episode discusses domestic violence and abuse that may be difficult for some listeners.

04/27/2026

New Podcast Out!!!

In this episode of Breaking the Silence: The Haven Real Talk, we take listeners inside the response, from national awareness to the reality of what happens when a survivor walks through the doors of a sexual assault center.

You don't want to miss this in-depth walkthrough of the sexual assault center and forensic exam process. From the moment a survivor arrives, to meeting with an advocate, to understanding consent and evidence collection, we break down what the experience actually looks like and what every survivor deserves to know.

This conversation offers a transparent look at the systems in place to support survivors, while reinforcing the importance of compassion, professionalism, and informed care at every step.

Inside the Response: Deep Diving into Advocacy, Awareness, and the Forensic Exam.