EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Safe Haven

Safe Haven - Amsterdam

Problem

How can the psycho-social well-being of young homosexual Moslems be positively reinforced?

Description

Safe Haven ('Veilige Haven' in Dutch) is a project in Amsterdam for young Moslems with homosexual, lesbian, bisexual or transgender feelings. It was an initiative of Schorer. Young homosexual Moslems often have problems with their sexual orientation, as homosexuality is often a taboo in the Islamic culture. Young people can go to Safe Haven with their questions and problems, for contacts with others in the same situation or for a place to sleep.

Approach

The Safe Haven project has many elements:

Twice per week, young people can contact Safe Haven during the open office hours. This contact can be either personal, via telephone or E-mail. The volunteers refer the young people to social workers or the Regional Institute for Mental Welfare, if necessary. They can also offer the young people a place to sleep or personal help. The volunteers have a Moroccan, Turkish or Algerian background;
The project organises meetings for young homosexual Moslems and information activities at schools;
The project tries to make homosexuality a topic for discussion among young Moslems from various ethnic communities, mosque organisations and schools;
The project develops methods for a specific approach to the problems around homosexuality and ethnic backgrounds.

Results

In the first year, 35 young people visited the Safe Haven;
The Turkish Mosque umbrella organisation Milli Görüs and the Netherlands Union of Moroccan Mosque Organisations support the Safe Haven;
A broad network of Islamic organisations, youth workers, schools and aid organisations are familiar with Safe Haven's work;
There has been considerable publicity on the project in various media, which has increased awareness about the project;
There has also been considerable political attention paid to making homosexuality in ethnic communities a topic of discussion.

Learning experiences

The problems of young people living in the tension field between homosexuality and Islam demand a specific approach;
Loyalty to their social surroundings is more important for the young people than their individual happiness. Coming out is not their goal;
There are still many prejudices and considerable ignorance regarding homosexuality in the various ethnic groups.

Resources used

Co-operative partners

Schorer
HVO-Querido
Habibi Ana foundation
COC Amsterdam
Het Amsterdams Centrum Buitenlanders (Amsterdam Immigrant Centre)

Financing

Safe Haven is financed by the City of Amsterdam and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.

Contact info

Veilige Haven - Safe Haven
Sarphatistraat 35
1001 NH Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Volker Moritz ((Safe Haven Project Leader)), tel. 0031 20 5739401

Project start date

01/10/2004

Cities

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Links

More information on Veilge Haven- Safe Haven (in Dutch only)

Projectplan Veilige Haven (in Dutch only, PDF, 178KB) Nederlands

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Keywords

Health

Institutional characteristics
Non-Governmental Organisation