Safe Passage: Here for survivors

COEUR d’ALENE — Two in five women and one in five men in Idaho have experienced sexual violence during their lifetime, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

It’s a staggering statistic, but local advocates say it’s important not to turn away from the harsh reality — especially not in April, which is both National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Awareness Month.

“Coming from this community, I know how special it is,” said Amanda Krier, executive director of Safe Passage. “It’s a great place to live and if we talk about violence, it doesn’t diminish that. Being able to talk about that doesn’t take away from the fact that this is a beautiful community and the people here are amazing.”

Just last year, Safe Passage served 461 adults and children impacted by sexual violence.

“It happens every day in our community,” Krier said. “The more we bring these sensitive issues to light, we normalize people reaching out for services.”

Safe Passage provides free, confidential resources, support and crisis intervention to people affected by domestic and sexual abuse, stalking and human trafficking. Services include a 24-hour helpline, an emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, prevention education and more. The nonprofit provides help and resources to anyone experiencing abuse, regardless of age or gender.

More than 1,600 people in the five northern counties reached out to Safe Passage in 2022. Every day, Safe Passage Children’s Advocacy Center serves a child who has experienced sexual or domestic abuse.

“If you’re not being impacted by violence, you know someone who has been,” said Leslie Johnson, director of development and communication for Safe Passage.

Safe Passage is primarily grant-funded, Johnson said. Many of the grant dollars received by Safe Passage are earmarked for specific purposes, which can make it a challenge to meet all the needs of survivors.

Johnson recalled a woman who came to Safe Passage for shelter.

“When she left our shelter, she was in fear for her life,” Johnson said. “We wanted to provide her with a video doorbell of some sort. Nothing in our funding covers that. That’s when we lean on private gifts to meet the very specific individual needs that humans have.”

That’s why community donations are an important resource for Safe Passage, Krier said, especially as North Idaho’s population continues to increase.

“The numbers aren’t going down,” she said. “The more our community grows, the more people are going to be impacted by violence and our services need to reflect that. We need to grow with the community.”

Krier emphasized that Safe Passage staff and volunteers are compassionate and experienced. She encourages people throughout North Idaho to spread the word about the nonprofit and save the helpline number in their phones so they can use it or share it with someone else who needs it.

“We’re a community that has resources,” Krier said. “We have people who care and safe places to go.”

Reach Safe Passage 24/7 by calling 208-664-9303 or texting 208-449-7228.

Info: www.safepassageid.org.