People who have endured domestic violence in DeKalb County have a place to go, thanks to Safe Passage.

On Friday, the domestic violence and sexual assault/abuse agency that serves DeKalb County, celebrated its 20th anniversary.

The event, titled “An Evening of Elegance,” was held at South Pointe Center, 200 Gurler Road.

The celebration featured entertainment by the DeKalb High School jazz band, music by Stagecoach Players and harpist Ruth Richards-Sclarman. Throughout the evening, toasts were made by numerous members of the community.

A raffle with proceeds supporting the programs available at Safe Passage was held.

According to the American Medical Association, an estimated 4 million women are victims of severe assaults by boyfriends and husbands each year and about one in four women is likely to be abused by a partner.

To serve the victims of these statistics, Safe Passage has a professional staff of 30, as well as volunteers.

It has a “24-hour hotline, temporary housing, counseling, legal advocacy, art therapy for children, community education and an intervention program for the abusers,” said Pam Wiseman, executive director of Safe Passage.

There also is a Latino outreach program designed to meet the needs of the growing Latino community.

Wiseman also said that the agency is a “really comprehensive system for victims and perpetrators.”

The services are free, and between 200 and 250 people take advantage of the programs offered by Safe Passage a month. About half are adult women and half are children.

“Many people avoid seeking help when they’ve been physically or sexually abused because many times they’ve been emotionally abused as well, and they’re not confident in their ability to be alone,” said Angela Neese, a graduate student in clinical psychology.

Wiseman said that her best advice to people in these situations is to be able to see it for what it is.

“If you’re in an abusive situation you are not to blame,” she said. “The support is out there if you need it.”

For information, the 24-hour hotline number for Safe Passage is 756-5228.Ben devries photo

State Representative David Wirsing speaks at the 20th anniversary celebration for Safe Passage on Friday evening.