What Is Safe Place®?
Safe Place® is a national program that provides immediate help and safety for youth under the age of 18.
In some communities, Safe Place services may be available for young people up to age 21. Safe Place connects youth to trained representative who can offer safety, support, and access to local resources—right when they’re needed most.
Designated Safe Place locations display the yellow Safe Place sign—the universal symbol of youth safety. These sites include schools, libraries, businesses, fire stations, transit partners, and other trusted community locations where youth know they can go for help.
Youth often learn about Safe Place through school presentations, community education, social media, and peers who have used the program. No matter where they are, the message is simple and consistent: help is free, confidential, and available anytime
How Safe Place works
Youth can get help through Safe Place in two ways—by entering a designated Safe Place site or by using TXT 4 HELP. The steps below show what happens from the moment a young person reaches out to the moment they are connected with a trained and trusted Safe Place agency for safety and support.
Find Support
Locate the nearest Safe Place site using our Find a Safe Place Directory, or visit our TXT 4 HELP page to learn more about accessing support by text.
Along with accessing Safe Place in person, youth may also TXT 4 HELP to receive information about the closest Safe Place location and chat with a professional for more help. TXT 4 HELP is a nationwide, 24-hour text-for-support service for youth in crisis.
When a young person uses TXT 4 HELP, they will text SAFE and their current location (address, city, state) to 4HELP (44357) for immediate help.
Within seconds, a message including the closest Safe Place location and contact number for the local youth shelter will be delivered. Youth will then have the option to reply with “2chat” to immediately text with a professional for more help. TXT 4 HELP is *free, quick, easy, safe, and confidential. *Message/data rates apply. *If there is not a Safe Place in your community, TXT 4 HELP will connect you to the closest youth service organization.
Visit the TXT 4 Help page to learn more.
