Nashville, Tenn. – Nashville CARES is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Metro Police Department (MNPD) and the MNPD LGBTQI Liaison. Nashville CARES has been approved by the MNPD as an official Safe Place location for the reporting of Hate Crimes, domestic LGBTQI assaults, and school bullying incidents. Clients or non-clients may report incidents here at CARES.
According to MNPD, Safe Place is a unique partnership with the business community and schools that serves a critical role in assisting the victims of hate crimes. Businesses and schools that participate place an easily recognizable decal at their entrances. This symbol is a message to victims of hate crimes that the location has partnered with the police, will call 911 on their behalf and allow them a safe place stay on the premises until the police arrive.
“When I read about the MNPD Safe Place Program we immediately reached out to MNPD LGBTQ Liaison Police Officer Nakia Reid and got the ball rolling,” said Lisa Binkley, Associate Director of Prevention and Education for Nashville CARES. “For more than 30 years Nashville CARES has worked diligently to provide a safe place for those living with or at risk of HIV and it only makes sense for us to continue this service and provide refuge to individuals who are disproportionately affected by hate crimes, domestic violence, and bullying.”
To learn more about the Safe Pace program or to apply for your location to become a Safe Place in the community visit https://www.nashville.gov/Police-Department/Safety-Information/Safe-Place.aspx.
About Nashville CARES:
Nashville CARES is Tennessee’s largest HIV/AIDS service organization.
Our Mission: Nashville CARES mission is to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Middle Tennessee. We work to achieve this through education, advocacy and support for those at risk for or living with HIV.
Our vision is a community where HIV infections are rare, and when they do occur, everyone with HIV/AIDS has access to the care, treatment and support to achieve optimal health and self-sufficiency without stigma or discrimination.
Last year Nashville CARES served more than 50,000 Middle Tennesseans infected and affected by HIV/AIDS including: HIV prevention education to more than 29,000 youth and adults, more than 10,000 FREE confidential HIV tests, and essential support services to 3,400 men, women and children living with the disease. To learn more, visit us at NashvilleCARES.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
