CSKT Victim Assistance

The CSKT Victim Assistance Program is located just west of the highway in Pablo, underneath Probation and Parole in the pink building just north of the Quicksilver gas station. Crime Victim Advocates can be reached 24 hours a day, toll free at 877-231-5173.  During office hours (7:30 – 4:30 Monday-Thursday) you may reach them by calling 675-2700, ext. 1194.
The Victim Assistance Program provides assistance for people who have experienced domestic abuse, sexual assault, and/or stalking by helping them through the court process as well as by providing housing assistance, information and referral, crisis intervention, and other services.
According to Marlene Heath, an Advocate for the Victim Assistance Program, “A lot of people think that domestic violence is just getting beat up physically, but it’s also emotionally, financially, and could be just a number of things.  And even if someone just feels like they may be a victim of any of those, they’re free to come in and just talk to see what their options are, we are happy to help our clients process what they are dealing with.”
The Victim Assistance program is equipped with emergency supplies like diapers, shampoo and laundry soap, and has a “comfort room” for a confidential and comforting place to be when in crisis.  “Our comfort room has been used a few times now,” said Heath.  The room is equipped with couches, blankets, toys and a television set.
Bevra Jacobson, Victim Assistance Program manager, said that the Program works to “provide, respectful, confidential, quality care.”  Crime Victim Advocate Trisha White rounds out the staff.  She helps with orders of protection, outreach services, and the girls’ after school program, Birds of a Feather.  White said that regardless of whether or not someone files for an order of protection (commonly known as a restraining order), “We always make sure that all the clients who come in have a safety plan.”
A Safety Planning handout has tips on how to be safe during a violent incident, when preparing to leave, at home, and how to maintain safety at work.  Among the recommendations are to “leave money, extra keys, copies of important documents, and extra clothes with someone you trust,” as well as “devise a code word to use with your children, family, friends, and neighbors when you need the police.”
The Victim Assistance Program provides referrals to SAFE Harbor, the domestic violence shelter, and works closely with DOVES. Jacobson explained the differences between services offered by DOVES and the Victim Assistance Program is that when the perpetrator is a tribal member of any federally recognized tribe, the victim will be referred to the Victim Assistance Program in Pablo.
“So if DOVES gets a call and the perpetrator’s a member of a tribe, but it’s a non-Native person who called them, DOVES will send them to our office because this court would have jurisdiction.  So really, every victim gets provided assistance, it just depends on where they need to go to depending on the jurisdiction,” according to Jacobson.
DOVES and “sister organization” CSKT Victim Assistance Program work hand-in-hand to provide comprehensive, quality services to victims of dating and domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in Lake County and on the Flathead Reservation.

Crime Victim Advocates can:

• Assist you with your application for an Order of Protection if you are a victim of Partner/Family Member Assault, Sexual Assault, Rape, Incest or Stalking

An Order of Protection is a civil court order, signed by a Judge, which prohibits someone who you fear from coming near you, to your residence, or workplace. It can prohibit that person from having any direct contact
with you.

• Explain how the court process works
• Find out information for you about what is happening in your criminal court case
• Provide crisis intervention, and emotional support and guidance
• Tell you about Crime Victim Compensation and help you fill out the forms
• Inform you of community services available to you
• Offer our ongoing support groups

CSKT 877-231-5173