On May 7, 2012, Courtney Price and her young daughter were in the process of fleeing a domestic violence situation when her husband unexpectedly came home early. Upon discovering them waiting to be picked up by family members, he fatally shot her 10 times . While not all situations end as tragically as Price’s did, domestic abuse can take on many shapes: threats, isolation, violence, emotional torment, mental anguish, financial withholding, intimidation, and intimate violation. It happens to both men and women, and it happens more frequently than many would like to admit. In the first nine months of 2022, the Cheatham County Sheriff’s office received 265 domestic violence calls. And while that number is alarmingly high, a “safe house” exists to aid local survivors and their dependents. In 2012, in memory of Courtney Price and other victims of abuse, a group of concerned residents, led by survivor Kaye Chandler, began laying the foundation for an organization that could actively serve the immediate needs of those caught up in the storm of domestic violence. After three years of planning and laying the groundwork for what is now a saving grace to many, Safe Haven of Cheatham County Courtney’s House officially opened its doors. In 2017, the 501(c)(3) received state level recognition, approval, and support- all key elements needed to reach as many survivors as possible and to have the ability to fiercely advocate for change. Offering core services like a 24-hour confidential crisis hotline, temporary shelter, housing assistance, transportation, education, support groups, and advocacy, Safe Haven is committed to providing more than just a safe location for survivors to take refuge. In addition to working closely with survivors, Safe Haven also focuses on educating Cheatham County residents about recognizing the signs of domestic violence with the hope that a general knowledge of the subject will aid in prevention.
“Throughout every year, we are told how grateful community members are for the existence of Safe Haven -- that Cheatham County now has a place where survivors can find help -- that we no longer have to depend on other counties,” Darcy Sober,
Safe Haven executive director, says.
Intent on breaking the silence and eliminating gray areas, Safe Haven also works diligently to support legislation surrounding domestic abuse and help change societal attitudes which condone violence toward both women and men. By speaking at local civic clubs and churches, producing an annual media series, hosting various fundraisers and events, and partnering with shelters in other counties, Safe Haven board members have effectively delivered their powerful message. Because of this, the Cheatham County-based shelter is already well-known throughout the entire state. These fervent and vocal board members, past and present, share a commitment to serving survivors and raising awareness, ultimately hoping to drastically reduce the staggering statistics. Today, Sharon Bosworth and Betty Kohal lead the organization as president and vice president respectively. The pair is joined by executive director Darcy Sober, secretary Amber Locke, treasurer Wanda Duckworth, Peggy Rose, Candi Driver, LuAnn Engelman, Kathryn Mitchem, Brenda Montgomery, and Nathanel Raymer— each as passionate about the organization’s mission as the next. “We have several original board members whose own life experiences involved domestic violence personally or within their family -- thus, their passion for the mission is personal,” Sober says. While it does take many different people with various strengths and backgrounds to make Safe Haven operate as effectively and smoothly as it does, their mission would not be possible without volunteers. After a background check and a confidentiality agreement, volunteers perform tasks like playing with children, teaching classes,
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