Our History

Women’s Resources of Monroe County began as two separate volunteer efforts: the Domestic Abuse Crisis Service (DVCS) and the Rape Crisis Service (RCS). Many of the core group of volunteers worked with both the RCS and the DVCS. When some funding first became available from state and federal grants in 1980, the two groups voted to merge into Women’s Resources of Monroe County, an agency which would serve both domestic abuse and sexual assault victims, while continuing to advocate for social change in society’s attitude and treatment toward women.

Women’s Resources of Monroe County incorporated in 1980 and opened an office and a shelter for battered women in September of that year. Women’s Resources of Monroe County moved around to different locations over the years, finally settling into Delaware Water Gap, where our main office resides. The shelter continues to be in a safe, undisclosed location.

Over the years, Women’s Resources of Monroe County slowly evolved from a domestic and sexual abuse center that only served women and children, to a resource center and safe house that opened its doors to all those affected by domestic and sexual abuse, because domestic and sexual abuse can affect ANYONE.

After 43 years of serving victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, and their families, we decided it was time to take that inward change outwards and become Safe Monroe. Safe Monroe, is an identity which embodies not only what we provide for those who come to us, but what we hope to achieve through our work moving forward. Safe Monroe is here to provide safety, hope, and healing for ALL who are affected by abuse. We are where abuse ends, and hope begins.