Celebrating 10 Years with Kathryn
Today marks a monumental day at SafeHaven—our President and CEO, Kathryn Jacob, is celebrating 10 years with the organization! Under her leadership, SafeHaven has experienced incredible growth, not just in size, but in the quality of services we provide to families escaping domestic violence.
Kathryn’s vision and passion for the work we do have been the driving force behind truly groundbreaking changes at SafeHaven. From launching innovative programs like the Strangulation Response Team to developing the Texas Assessment of Dominant Aggressor (TX-ADA) tool that will change the way the justice system addresses domestic violence, Kathryn’s leadership has made a lasting difference. We’ve reached new heights in service delivery, with a stronger commitment to victims and survivors, and a community united in our mission. Let’s take a deeper look at the strides we’ve made together over the past decade.
Fatality Review Team
Under Kathryn’s guidance, the Tarrant County Intimate Partner Violence Fatality Review Team was reaffirmed in 2016. The team brings together experts from various fields to analyze homicides and identify gaps in services, policies, and resources that may contribute to them. Their goal is to prevent future homicides by understanding systemic issues and initiating meaningful change.
High Risk Team (DVHRT)
The Domestic Violence High Risk Team (DVHRT) prevents severe harm or homicide in high-risk IPV cases. SafeHaven launched the program in 2017 after a record number of homicides in Tarrant County. It combines direct support for high-risk victims with collaboration between law enforcement, prosecutors, hospitals, and SHTC to address cases and prevent recidivism.
Strangulation Response Team
In 2023, SafeHaven created its Strangulation Response Team to provide 24/7 support to hospitalized victims who have experienced strangulation. The team connects victims to SHTC resources with the goal of reducing IPV homicides. By identifying and assisting the highest-risk victims, the team aims to bridge the gap between victims and life-saving support.
Texas Assessment of Dominant Aggressor (TX-ADA)
SafeHaven, in partnership with the RAND Corporation, is developing the Texas Assessment of Dominant Aggressor (TX-ADA), a groundbreaking tool to help law enforcement and investigators identify the dominant aggressor when responding to IPV cases. This initiative, fully developed and implemented under Kathryn’s leadership, aims to reduce wrongful arrests of victims and ensure offenders are held accountable. Created with input from national experts in law enforcement, legal systems, academia, and advocacy, TX-ADA will transform how the justice system responds to domestic violence.
None of this would have been possible without Kathryn’s unwavering commitment and passion for keeping victims safe and bettering the systems they interact with daily to survive. From her vision for life-saving programs to her focus on creating lasting systemic change, Kathryn has been the force behind SafeHaven’s transformation over the last decade. As we look to the future, we remain inspired by her passion and dedication.
Here’s to the amazing work we’ve done together over the past 10 years, and to the even greater impact we will make in the years to come. Thank you, Kathryn, for your incredible leadership, vision, and dedication to SafeHaven and the families we serve!