To The Editor:Turning Point serves the east central counties of Warren, Gasconade, Montgomery, Franklin, Lincoln and St. Charles. Services include a safe, secure emergency shelter for victims of domestic and sexual violence.In addition, we also provide advocacy to help both shelter residents and those who never come into shelter. Such help ensures greater access to safety planning, police and court services, assistance filing orders of protection and assistance accessing other community services based on the needs of the client.Our services are free and confidential. We have a staff of 16, and we have advocates dedicated to being in all of the counties. Each staff member completes 48 hours of training as established by the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.Our advocacy is different than prosecutor-based advocacy. Advocacy is not limited to court, but can include a broad array of needs. We appreciate and support the need for a prosecution-based advocate who works in concert with the community-based advocacy system, such as Turning Point. Our roles are different, but highly complementary. Together, we are better able to address the complex needs of the victims.Anyone who needs shelter, advocacy services or someone to talk it over with can call 888-873-7233 or 636-456-1186, 24 hours a day.Ellen Reed,MPPA Executive Director