Victim Services Available Through Women’S Center

The Women’s Center has been assisting families in crisis as a result of violence since 1977. The center is an advocacy agency that maintains confidentiality for clients and provides 24-hour crisis intervention and referral for victims of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault. All services are provided free of charge.

Center Director Lisa Randall provided the following information about her agency.

Q. What do you do?

A. Among the services provided are a 30-day emergency shelter for women and children in imminent danger; assistance through the judicial process; a 24-hour hotline for victims of rape and sexual assault; individual counseling; a center for children who have been through or have witnessed abuse; on-call domestic-violence advocacy in the hospital; community education; do-it-yourself divorce classes; a thrift store; and crisis intervention training.

Q. How did it start?

A. The women’s center started as a grass-roots organization by a handful of women in 1977. In the beginning it served as a rape crisis line with volunteers. Shortly thereafter, safe houses were started in these volunteer’s houses for women and children who were victims of domestic violence. As domestic violence became more prevalent in the area, the need for a shelter grew. A board of directors was formed, the center incorporated, the volunteer base increased and in 1981, the first shelter home was established.

Q. How many paid staff members do you have?

A. Fifteen.

Q. What kind of service opportunities exist for volunteers?

A. Both direct and indirect service opportunities are available. A 30-hour crisis intervention training is required for direct services, but indirect services can become available immediately. Indirect services include work at our thrift store, at the office and shelter. Direct services cover all the client services we provide. Currently we have around 50 active volunteers. We can always use more. Currently we need volunteers at our thrift store and in both the court advocacy and sexual assault services programs (rape crisis line).

Q. How are you funded?

A. Our funding in general relies heavily on the community. We also receive both state and local grants (United Way and Soroptimists).

Q. What is the impact of the services you provide?

A. We provide victim services to the five northern counties of Idaho, as well as victims that come from other states. With awareness, education and the fact that domestic violence is one of the biggest concerns/problems facing North Idaho, we don’t see ourselves out of jobs anytime soon, but that is our goal.

Q. How has your agency grown? What growth do you predict?

A. In 1999, we served 14,707 clients, and this year, the projection based on statistics is close to 17,000. Our shelter continues to remain full and we have 46 contacts/clients daily through the center. We have also acquired an exceptional team on our board of directors and in our paid and volunteer staff members.

Q. What additional services would you provide if you had the funding to do so?

A. More outreach and education opportunities, transitional housing for victims of domestic violence, transportation and financial assistance to families in need for the legal fees and basic necessities that so many take for granted.

Q. What do you see as the largest unmet need of this community?

A. Affordable housing is a huge problem in North Idaho. Close behind would be accessible/affordable legal representation, followed by mental health/medical needs.

Q. What is your most underused service?

A. Rape crisis line/sexual assault services. Confidential advocacy is available to past and current victims of sexual violence.

Q. How can people contact you?

A. Call (208) 664-9303 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.