Safe Harbor Crisis Center Names New Executive Director
Kirt Bateman to lead Davis County non-profit organization that provides shelter, transitional housing, support services, and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
LAYTON, UT – March 10, 2023 – The Board of Directors of Safe Harbor Crisis Center today announced the appointment of Kirt Bateman as Executive Director of the 26-year-old non-profit organization. Bateman was selected by the Board following an extensive search, replacing long-time executive director Kristen Floyd.
Bateman is well known in the region, having served for a decade as executive director of the Davis Arts Council (Layton, UT). Most recently, Bateman was a member of the leadership team that assisted clients to rebuild their lives and find strength and empowerment at House of Hope, a non-profit substance abuse disorders treatment center.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kirt as executive director,” said Mark Parsons, Chairman of the Safe Harbor Board of Directors. “Kirt brings a broad range of non-profit leadership experience to an already well-managed team, providing critical services daily to those in need in our community.”
Davis County is growing … and as a result, demand for Safe Harbor’s services has increased by 62 percent during the past two years. To support this increased demand for services, Safe Harbor, with generous community financial support, has invested more than $7 million to expand services. In June 2022, the organization opened the Lifeline and Prevention Center in Layton, and is about to break ground on an expansion to its transitional housing. The organization needs to raise $1.3 million to complete the project.
“I want to thank Kristen Floyd for her dedication to Safe Harbor Crisis Center (SHCC), and for laying such a concrete groundwork for my transition into the executive directorship of SHCC.” added Bateman. “Safe Harbor began as a grassroots effort by a visionary and dedicated group of citizens in 1994 and opened its doors in 1997. Under Kristen’s leadership, Safe Harbor services and practices have continued to grow and evolve. We are so proud of the work we do but we have a lot yet to accomplish. One in three Utah women report that they have been sexually assaulted and one in six report being raped.”
Utah has ranked higher than the nation average for sexual violence rates for the past 25 years. The national statistics for domestic violence are every bit as sobering, with one in three women and one in four men having experienced intimate partner rape, physical violence, and/or stalking. Furthermore, nearly half (48%) of the United States has experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner. Everyone deserves to feel safe at home.
“Safe Harbor is committed—as the only completely full-service Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Center in Utah—to continue to provide critical, live-saving services to survivors in Davis County. However, we also want to increase our focus and our work in the field of prevention,” added Bateman. “It’s my hope that we can create a prevention and education arm that will help us see a reduction in these devastating statistics here in Davis County, leading the way for other areas in Utah and the U.S. to prevent domestic violence rather than reacting to it.”
In 2022, Safe Harbor provided services to nearly 3,000 clients, including 300 children, and provided approximately 5,000 nights in its shelter. Safe Harbor relies upon the generosity of the community to provide its services free of charge. If you would like to volunteer, send an email to volunteer@safeharborhope.org. If interested in financially supporting Safe Harbor, contact Olivia Dario, Director of Development at olivia@safeharborhope.org.
Bateman’s first day was 22 February 2023. His immediate priorities include meeting with staff and volunteers, a review of strategic priorities with the Board, a detailed review of SHCC’s financials and connecting with key partners and supporters of Safe Harbor.
Need Help?
The Safe Harbor team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Telephone number is 801-444-9161.
About Safe Harbor Crisis Center
Safe Harbor is a non-profit organization serving Davis County. It provides shelter, supportive services and advocacy to survivors or domestic violence and sexual assault as well as education, awareness, and other resources to the community.
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