SABRA Sanctuary reopens domestic abuse shelter, expands to help sex abuse victims

Selma’s domestic violence sanctuary is once again housing domestic abuse victims after being closed for two years.  

SABRA Sanctuary will also expand to care for survivors of sexual abuse, according to its director, Natasha Moseley.  

In January 2023, the SABRA Sanctuary building suffered extensive damage from the F2 tornado that ripped through Selma. Moseley said, "By the time the insurance adjusters and contractor got to the building, mold was beginning to set up.”  

Moseley said the building was deemed unsafe by the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence. That ruling closedthe shelter, but SABRA Sanctuary continued as a referral agency, directing domestic violence survivors to other agencies and facilities. 

Moseley said the sanctuary lost a lot of its funding that was tied to being a shelter. Even with the limited funds, the search for an appropriate and safe building continued. That search is now over, even though there is still some work to be done. 

“As of July 19, we officially opened back up after two long years of fighting and operating on the limited funds in the account,” Moseley said. The new facility can house up to 10 women, she said. 

One major improvement needed is a “full operational kitchen and a laundry room,” Moseley said. Work on those improvements is about to start thanks to a $10,000 grant from Ala-Tom, but more funding is needed “because there is still a lot of plumbing and electrical that needs to be done,” Moseley said. 

Moseley said if anyone wants to make a donation of money or building materials, they can call SABRA Sanctuary’s business line, 334-877-4645 or send her an email to nmoseley@sabrasanctuary.org.  

Up to now, SABRA Sanctuary has focused only on domestic violence. Soon they will also offer help for survivors of sexual assault. Moseley said they are currently in talks with the Alabama Coalition Against Rape to provide that program. 

Moseley also announced that SABRA Sanctuary’s annual Candlelight Vigil is happening Thursday, Oct. 16, at 5:30 p.m. at Bloch Park.  

“It’s a way to honor survivors of domestic violence,” Moseley said.