TESSA
TESSA will foster a community free of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking by raising awareness in the community, working with key partners, and educating children and teens.
Simultaneously, TESSA will empower survivors to forge new paths to wellbeing and self- sufficiency through providing evidence-based practices and services.
As a result, TESSA will become recognized nationally as a high-impact, effective leader in the field of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking prevention and services.
TESSA was established in May 1977, in response to an increasing number of calls to regional law enforcement from women threatened or assaulted by their partners. At the time, domestic violence was considered a private matter and resources were difficult to locate if they existed at all. TESSA started as an information provider and resource referral service.
Since then, TESSA has evolved into a multi-faceted agency that serves more than 15,000 victims each year and utilizes trauma-informed practice to provide confidential comprehensive services, including a 32-bed Safehouse, housing assistance, client advocacy, legal help, counseling, a children’s program, a 24/7 SafeLine, and a community outreach and education program. Through these efforts, TESSA strives to realize our vision of a safe community free of relationship violence for all.
TESSA serves victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in immediate crisis and on an ongoing basis. The first priority of all services is client safety, followed by the provision of support and resources that enable survivors to move forward safely and on their own terms.
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