SAFE Harbor addresses St. Ignatius neighborhood watch group
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ST. IGNATIUS — The courthouse atmosphere can be intimidating to victims of domestic abuse.
“Power is all around them,” explained SAFE Harbor Legal Advocate Jolene Schmitz. “There is the power of the court, the power of the police, the power of the prosecutors’ office.” That can result in what amounts to re-victimization of vulnerable victims, she added. Helping victims understand the legal system and helping them work through it are among the services she provides.
“I can’t and don’t offer legal advice,” she said.
But she explained she can help them with the myriad of legal forms including orders of protection, and educate them about other services and assistance that are available. While Schmitz does not practice law, there are attorneys on the SAFE Harbor staff.
Schmitz addressed a meeting of the St. Ignatius Neighborhood Watch April 21. SAFE Harbor runs a safe house for domestic abuse victims in Lake County. The safe house is in Ronan but the exact location is kept secret for obvious reasons, she said. Not every victim goes immediately to the safe house. Sometimes what the victims and their families need are gas or motel vouchers, or food or clothing or transportation or all of the above, she said. Sometimes emotional supports is the most important thing. There is a wealth of opportunities for the agency to help victims. The agency subsists on donations and grants.
Schmitz urged the Neighborhood Watchers to report obvious or suspected instance of abuse to the sheriff’s office. That office will contact SAFE Harbor if appropriate. Even if the report doesn’t result in any action, the report will be recorded and that can be important down the road, she said.
“Help eradicate bystander hesitancy,” she said. “Calling in the report is the right thing to do.”
Schmitz noted that SAFE Harbor is sponsoring a carnival and circus in Ronan on June 27. For tickets or booth sponsorships call (406) 676-9242.
Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Shad Andersen, a K-9 narcotic unit, will be the next person to address the group. That will happen on Tuesday, May 19, at 7 p.m. The chapter meets every third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in the St. Ignatius Senior Citizens Center on North Main. Everyone is welcome.
During the meeting following Schmitz’s presentation, it was decided to continue with formal organizational activities including filing as a nonprofit entity. Signage was also discussed. Two of the old metal signs belonging to defunct chapter some years ago have been located but two are missing. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of those signs is asked to contact chapter president Mack McConnell, by calling 745-4151.
