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FarkWe were dismayed by a recent news report that suggested people were being turned away from domestic abuse centers in the state because of a lack of funding.
It turns out, so were domestic violence prevention advocates here in Rapid City, who said no victim of domestic abuse — nor anyone in danger of becoming one — would ever be turned away without help from the Working Against Violence, Inc. shelter.
A one-day survey of 19 domestic abuse centers in the state conducted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence found that 66 people on that particular day were denied shelter or some other service.
Outreach services, such as childcare, mental health and substance abuse counseling or legal representation, were among the services being hampered by reductions in federal funding to shelters.
WAVI participated in that survey, but program director Mary Corbine said it wasn’t truly representative of services available to domestic violence victims in western South Dakota.
“If someone’s in danger, we would not turn anyone away,” Corbine said. “If we were full, we would reach out to other shelters in Sturgis, Spearfish, Custer and find them a safe place to stay.”
While the survey was unnecessarily alarmist, and not entirely accurate in its depiction of domestic violence services in places like Rapid City, it’s important to note that funding is always an ongoing concern for places like WAVI, especially in tough economic times like these, in which expenses are rising and revenues are falling.
Corbine wants the public to have confidence that WAVI, with its 13 bedrooms and a plethora of programs to fight domestic violence, is up to the challenge. But she also sends the message that WAVI needs the community to be a partner in that fight.
“All funding is being cut to these organizations. Reductions in funding will always be a constant battle. That’s why we have to work together as agencies and as communities to meet these needs.”
Tough economic times can be a precursor to spikes in domestic violence. While WAVI hasn’t seen that phenomenon yet, it is always a possibility, Corbine said.
Meanwhile, the shelter, like any household, is struggling with its budget. It is always in need of more donations, but that doesn’t have to mean cash.
“We’re struggling with the price of milk and eggs and bread, too. Bring us some cereal. Bring us some canned goods,” she pleads.
WAVI promises to always be there for the victims of domestic violence. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Rapid City promised to always be there for WAVI?
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