KX Gives Back: Minot’s Domestic Violence Crisis Center sees increase in calls and cases, federal funding cut

MINOT, N.D. ( KXNET ) — According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline , every 60 seconds, 24 people are physically or sexually assaulted by an intimate partner. And the Hotline is experiencing what it’s calling, an unusually high call volume, right now.

The Domestic Violence Crisis Center in Minot is trying to keep up with the demand while also providing several services to fix the long-term problems throughout North Dakota.

The DVCC serves victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking in Ward, Pierce, McHenry, and Renville counties. But it’s more than just a temporary shelter and emergency crisis center.

“We run about 14 different programs,” said Cambree Smith, the Public Relations and Education Specialist at the DVCC. “So that can range from residential services such as our shelter and transitional living apartments, all the way to non-residential wrap-around services. So things like therapy, support groups, and help with protection orders. We have a badders intervention program to help on the other side to help with providing curriculum to individuals who use violence in intimate partner relationships.”

Center advocates hope to spread the word about the extensive services because they said they’ve recently seen an uptick in violent cases.

“We are seeing a huge increase in the lethality of the cases coming through,” said Smith. “A big part of that is an increased reporting on strangulation incidences. And we are also seeing a lot of folks coming in with post-separation violence.”

They said they even see victims of human trafficking across the state.

“It’s definitely something that we see and we see a lot of especially come winter time,” explained Jill McDonald, the Executive Director at the DVCC. “Sometimes it’s an expectation, like if you’re going to stay here, then you’re going to have sex with me.”

Advocates at the center meet victims wherever they are in their journey from a crisis, to healing, and support. They say the educational aspect on the violent side of things is also something they offer support with.

“We look into things like privilege, entitlement, respect, economic abuse, shared partnership, non-violent and not threatening behaviors, responsible parenting,” said Smith.

The organization is one of the few agencies with a Domestic Violence High-Risk Team program in the Dakotas and is one of the only centers in the country with an Adult Forensic Interview Room. And they hope through community partnerships and support they can continue to provide North Dakota with the highest level of support in all situations.

With the increase in reported cases, the team has put extra hours and energy into helping victims around the state. So, we treated them to lunch as part of our KX Gives Back campaign. They tell us they are always thankful for any type of donation.

Their main form of federal funding was cut by 30% this year. They say you can always donate food, clothes, toiletries, gas stamps, bus coins, and gift cards to the center. There’s also a page on the website where you can donate directly to the center.

If you or someone you know is being impacted by domestic violence, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 701-857-2200. The hotline is open 24/7. You can also text START to 88788.

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