Launching Our New Coordinated Entry Tool for Survivors of Violence & Honoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month with Asian Women’s Shelter

We launched a new Coordinated Entry assessment tool specifically for survivors of violence. In partnership with our Victim Service Providers, including the Asian Women’s Shelter, Safehouse, and St. Vincent De Paul’s Riley Center, HSH enhanced its commitment to supporting survivors, aiming to ensure they receive the safety, support, and housing they deserve. 
 

A New Tool for a Critical Need 

On October 1, 2024, our department announced the release of this specialized Coordinated Entry assessment tool. Designed to address the unique experiences of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and other dangerous or life-threatening situations, the tool represents a survivor-centered approach. This tool, developed in close collaboration with Asian Women’s Shelter, Safehouse, and the St. Vincent De Paul’s Riley Center, focuses specifically on the unique needs and survivorship experiences of clients. 

With this tool, HSH now offers a tailored approach for evaluating each survivor’s specific situation, enhancing our ability to connect them with immediate, appropriate resources. HSH works with each survivor’s identity safely stored in the HOPE system—San Francisco’s secure database for victim services, entirely separate from the ONE system to protect client privacy.  
 

Raising Awareness Through Digital Engagement for Domestic Violence Awareness Month 

October was also Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and HSH amplified its support for survivors of violence through a dedicated social media awareness campaign. The campaign was crafted to inform the community about domestic violence, offer education on available resources, and ultimately bring greater awareness to the needs of survivors in San Francisco. 

Our Victim Service Providers partners were pivotal in spreading awareness, with Asian Women’s Shelter going above and beyond to promote our campaign through their own channels. Asian Women’s Shelter has been an indispensable partner in this initiative, providing shelter and support for survivors and driving a broad community awareness campaign that encourages collective support for those impacted by violence. 
 

Spotlight on Asian Women’s Shelter: A Lifeline for Survivors 

Founded in 1988, the Asian Women’s Shelter was established to address the urgent needs of survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Asian Women’s Shelter’s  mission is rooted in ending domestic violence by promoting the self-determination of women and all survivors of violence, particularly for those from immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ+, and underserved communities. Their services are open to all survivors, with a particular focus on addressing the needs of Pan-Asian and Arab individuals and families. 

Asian Women’s Shelter’s mission and approach are unique, drawing from frameworks like Kimberlé Crenshaw’s intersectional theory and Bell Hooks’ “Margin to Center.” Asian Women’s Shelter places marginalized survivors at the heart of its mission, continuously refining its services to serve people who might otherwise be overlooked in traditional support systems. This survivor-centered approach makes Asian Women’s Shelter a beacon of comprehensive, culturally informed care. 
 

Core Services and Programs at Asian Women’s Shelter 

Shelter Program: Asian Women’s Shelter provides survivors with secure, confidential housing and multilingual support. Residents receive emergency resources, health services, and ongoing support to transition into safe, stable environments.  

24-Hour Crisis Line: The toll-free crisis line offers immediate support, safety planning, and referrals, operating in multiple languages to ensure accessibility for all survivors. 

Specialized Programs: These include targeted services for queer Asian survivors, an anti-trafficking program, and case management services, providing long-term guidance and assistance for survivors facing complex legal, immigration, or financial challenges. 

Beyond direct support, Asian Women’s Shelter engages in critical community-building and advocacy, creating systems that foster awareness, cultural change, and structural improvements. Their grassroots mobilization and public engagement initiatives aim to educate the broader community on domestic violence issues and to mobilize allies, reinforcing its impact well beyond its shelter walls. 
 

Building a Lasting Partnership 

We at HSH are incredibly grateful to Asian Women’s Shelter and our other Victim Service Providers for their unwavering commitment to survivors. The launch of this new Coordinated Entry tool and our combined Domestic Violence Awareness Month outreach exemplifies what we can accomplish when city departments and community partners work together.  

By spotlighting our partner Asian Women’s Shelter, we hope to shed light on the valuable work that happens daily to provide dignity, hope, and a pathway to safety for survivors. We will continue to reaffirm our commitment to supporting every survivor and making San Francisco a place where all individuals can thrive, free from violence.