AUSTIN, Texas — In a recent appearance on Inside Austin, Pierre Berastaín, president and CEO of the SAFE Alliance, addressed the complex dynamics of domestic violence, the role of men in prevention efforts, and the severe funding challenges facing critical support services with host Brian Fitzgerald.
Berastaín highlighted the importance of men engaging in introspective discussions about domestic violence and broader societal attitudes. Addressing the concept of male privilege, he reframed the term to foster constructive dialogue.
"I have the unearned advantage of being born a male," Berastaín noted, citing a conversation with a peer. "The reality is that those advantages afford you the opportunity to move through the world in ways that those without that advantage don't have."
He described healthy masculinity as "authentic, conscious, and reflective," explaining that authentic masculinity encourages men "to be true to themselves and to shed the pressures of conforming to societal expectations." He further emphasized that a lack of self-reflection leads to a broader lack of awareness regarding personal actions and their societal impact.
The SAFE (Stop Abuse For Everyone) Alliance operates more than 20 programs addressing domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, and child abuse. It ranks as the second-largest organization in the United States by shelter capacity, housing over 1,000 survivors per night.
Demand for these emergency services continues to rise sharply. The organization's 24/7 hotline (512-267-SAFE) handled nearly 27,000 interactions over the past year, breaking monthly call volume records in July, August, and September. Despite the growing need, over 150 people—half of whom are children—currently remain on the waitlist for emergency shelter.
Funding shortfalls and economic pressures have impacted both emergency housing and long-term prevention efforts. Programs such as "Expect Respect," an initiative active in secondary schools that focuses on healthy relationships and crisis intervention, have faced budget cuts. Berastaín emphasized the vital role of these preventative measures, noting that counselors have actively intervened to prevent suicides and instances of gun violence in schools.
To support its mission, the SAFE Alliance accepts donations of essential household goods, clothing, and funds at its warehouse located at 1401 Grove Boulevard. Unused items are exchanged through a partnership with Goodwill to provide gift cards directly to survivors building new lives.
Additionally, the organization is hosting its upcoming "Truck or Treat" family event on October 24 at Q2 Stadium to promote positive community interactions and support its outreach programs. More information about services and ways to contribute can be found at safeaustin.org.
