October is Domestic Violence awareness month

Reports of domestic violence in Kootenai County have increased 10.4 percent since 2008.

Law enforcement agencies in the county received 765 reports of family or relationship violence in 2014, a dip from the 797 incidents reported in 2013.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean incidences went down, but fewer victims reported,” said Katie Coker, director of the North Idaho Violence Prevention Center.

The nonprofit center, based in Coeur d’Alene, provides advocacy and other critical support services for victims of sexual assault and family violence, including counseling, court-based advocacy and shelter.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the center’s staff, board members and volunteers have filled their calendar with related activities. Primarily, they will be communicating the center’s message to a broad range of community members from Head Start families to business leaders and teens at football games.

“We want people who need help to reach out for help,” Coker said.

Coker said center representatives will be putting up posters in businesses and coffee shops, letting people know about the center’s 24-hour crisis line.

“We want them to know we’re here,” she said.

The center relies on financial support from the community and grants to provide services to victims.

In the last fiscal year, 86 domestic violence survivors and 50 children received shelter and food assistance from the center. The shelter is a four-bedroom house that offers a safe place for victims escaping violent relationships.

At the same time, the center’s court-based advocacy and support program helped 246 survivors maneuver the legal processes that generally come with domestic violence situations.

“I think our court program is a critical piece of what we do,” Coker said. “Outcomes at court can really have a big impact on how survivors do.”

NIVPC is also a partner with law enforcement and other agencies in a local child advocacy center that provides a safe, comfortable place for children affected by family violence or sexual assault to participate in the court process.

“We want a child to feel comforted and supported when they tell their story,” Coker added.

The center recently hired a forensic interviewer to work with child victims at the center. Since July, the interviewer has conducted 21 interviews.

The center is also deeply involved in teen outreach, going into the schools and teaching prevention. They offer tools students can use if they observe violence or bullying, or if they become victims themselves.

On Sept. 30, the eve of the start of Domestic Violence Awareness month, the center will host a fundraiser to benefit the center’s violence prevention efforts.

The Annual Martini Affair will take place from 6-8 p.m. at Seasons Restaurant, 209 E. Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene.

“Wear your black and white – and we’ll throw in the purple ribbon,” states the center’s announcement of the event.

There is a new “Name Your Own Martini” auction item this year. The successful bidder will get to choose a name for a martini that will be featured on Seasons’ menu for a year. Other auction items include a golf package at The Coeur d’Alene Resort, Gonzaga basketball tickets and custom Adirondack chairs. The event includes a buffet dinner, complimentary beverage and entertainment provided by Bill Bozly.

For every $75 ticket purchased for the “Martini Affair,” $55 goes directly to support the center’s programs. Purchase tickets online at nivpc.org or call (208) 664-9303.