She’s helping make people healthier

Sandra Turtle knows a lot of wife beaters, battered women and children who are living with the fear and fallout of domestic violence.

As a longtime volunteer who helps both the perpetrators and victims of domestic violence, she’s seen the toll the abuse takes on families.

“As a culture we are becoming more violent — men, women and children,” Turtle says with conviction. “There is still much work left to be done with the next generation, so there is no domestic violence. No child should have to hide in a closet.”

Turtle was recently recognized for her dedicated service to the victims of the crime. She’s the recipient of 2004 Victims Services Volunteer of the Year award given by the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance.

“Sandra Turtle is fueled with a passion to make people healthier and Coeur d’Alene a better place to live,” says Greg Orlando, administrator for the Kootenai County Adult Misdemeanor Probation Department.

His sentiments were shared by others in the community who supported Turtle’s nomination for the award, which was presented at the Council on Domestic Violence’s 11th annual training conference held in Boise.

Turtle earned her graduate degree from the University of Idaho in counseling and human development in 1992.

She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist.

Turtle is an approved evaluator of domestic violence perpetrators, has been a volunteer group facilitator at the Coeur d’Alene Women’s Center and is actively involved in the North Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence , according to a nomination form submitted by Gratia Griffith.

Griffith is the Region 1 representative on the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance, which includes the five northern Idaho counties.

Specifically, Griffith nominated Turtle for her assistance with the work of the council’s Batterers Treatment Committee.

Turtle has organized and continues to chair regular meetings of area evaluators and treatment providers to help ensure adherence to standards.

“Sandra has volunteered many hours in assessing applications for batterer’s treatment providers, and in the project of rewriting the standards developed by that committee,” says Griffith.

Orlando adds that Turtle “has worked in the community for many years, trying to advance and improve how domestic violence is addressed within systems, specifically pertaining to evaluations and treatment of offenders.”

After a long history of involvement with domestic violence issues, Turtle says she feels her greatest accomplishment is yet to come.

She encourages victims of domestic violence to “come forward if you are being abused and get the system involved.”

Turtle’s other volunteer activities include the Idaho Mental Health Counselors Association, and a 10-year tenure on the North Idaho AIDS Coalition Board of Directors.

“Sandra Turtle is an example for others. She works compassionately with all people, is open and honest, and gives back to her community,” says Orlando.