It is the mission of Missouri Shores Domestic Violence Center to protect & serve victims of domestic violence, & sexual assault, to provide shelter & to prevent such violence by enhancing education, treatment & awareness of domestic violence & sexual assault. Missouri Shores has grown from a program of all volunteers & the utilization of private homes or motels, to a program of 16 to 18 volunteer advocates & eight paid staff, an owned shelter facility, professional counseling services, a community crisis line with a toll free number & "We Are Here" satellite offices in outlying rural areas. While the rural nature of our communities offers a sense of peace & safety from inner-city violence, we have learned over the years that the qualities of pride & self-sufficiency inherent in our people often make it very difficult for families to admit to violence within their homes or those of their neighbors, & to ask for the help so desperately needed. Missouri Shores Domestic Violence Center is a 5,000 sq. foot building with 9 private client rooms, 4 staff offices, & a common living room & kitchen area . The staff & board work extremely hard to provide a warm home-like atmosphere to welcome families who are escaping an abusive situation in their own homes.