Harmon is Face of Clearwater Community Advocacy

 

Kristie  Harmon is the face of Clearwater and Hubbard Counties Advocacy services, with locations in Bagley and Park Rapids. She was hired to be a Victims Advocate for the Headwaters Intervention Center and Family Crisis Center in 2015. They provide services, but victims do not have to live in the counties to receive their services. 

“I like what I do, being an advocate to help victims of domestic violence. I have learned so much as an advocate,” Kristie says. “I always stay with a victim until they are safe. I take my job very seriously and the need for confidentiality. I do as much as I can, but people don't know their own strengths. They can learn to do what they need to do.” 

“The Director likes me because I am a professional, and says I am a good advocate with a good listening ear.” 

Kristie's passion for being an advocate is immediately obvious in her desire to do all she can to help. 

“I can steer victims to resources, job training, or even college. Sometimes we can help them move out of the area to get away from the abusive situation. But I can't make them leave the situation, or file a restraining order or tell them what to do. That is their choice.  There is a lot to think about.”

Kristie says the job never overwhelms her. Some do not like her for what she does, but she says, “This is my job, and I don't care if some don't like it. I think of the 'Sticks and Stones' saying.”

Kristie says there are more people coming forward with issues regarding abuse, with 42 more than last year in Clearwater County. She indicated that increase may be partly due to the issue being so prominent in recent news with so many coming forward with alleged abuse stories.

“I think people are just tired of being abused. We have to reassure them it's not something they've done – abuse is not ok,” she says. “I see the Holidays coming, and it seems there are more incidents during this time. People get depressed, they feel the need to 'buy' and 'get'. 

“There are many without family near, or their family has given up on them, instead of encouraging them to find help. The more education people get, the more they can help themselves.” 

Kristie works with clients, men or women, who sometimes need protection or harassment restraining orders due to domestic or physical violence situations. They may be traumatized and/or injured and she helps them to do the paperwork. She stands right with the client when they go before the judge to tell their story to the judge. Law enforcement escorts the advocate when the abuser is required to leave a home as a safety precaution. Judges often require abusers who commit felonies to take training. 

“I love working with the judges here, Judge Robert Tiffany and Judge Paul Rasmussen, and Sheriff Darin Halverson. They are all phenomenal and caring. They listen to the clients and want the best outcome for them.” 

“We do presentations about domestic violence out in the community. We also want to get out in the schools and teach about dating violence. Young people are often intimidated and scared to tell about violence in a situation. Anyone can call us or just come in.”

There is training provided for advocates, law enforcement, and court administration. Judges also receive separate training. This month Kristie is receiving training in how to assist Crime Victims. 

Victims may need to ask questions, and get a hold of a Victims Advocate such as Kristie to learn about resources that could help them. After the recent 'walk' to draw attention to domestic violence, they received a donation from Thrivent which is used for gas and phone cards, one of the biggest needs. Other provisions may be short term temporary food and shelter. 

This assistance is passed on to victims in times of crisis, and not meant to be a steady source of help. It is to help them have the time to research resources available, and what their options when they have been victims of abuse.

“The best part of my job is to watch clients get back up on their feet and move on to a better situation. They may call me later to tell me they graduated from college or got a good job. They may say, 'There's nothing going to stop me'. I can tell them 'You can do this'”.

Kristie says while adults can leave an abusive situation, children involved cannot. The hardest part of her job is seeing child abuse. She says men and women may manipulate the situations.

On December 8, station KV101 in Bemidji will be host Kristie for a RadioThon to End Child Abuse. It is to help get the word out about the reality of children who have been abused. Donations that are raised will go toward child abuse awareness. 

“It is a good step,” she says, the more you can educate the better.”

Kristie is on Board of the Salvation Army, which helps provide back packs, and the Clearwater County Citizens for Violence Free Community (CCCVC), doing mock crashes at the high school, and fund raisers.

‘There is a need for crisis line volunteers, and training is provided. You can call the center at 694-2831 for information.”

“I learned to be my own advocate and learn to stand up for myself,” Kristie says. “I was a quiet, shy person, and needed to learn to help myself. I learned to be assertive, in a nice way, not aggressive. You can say 'No'.” 

In the future, Kristie plans to go back to college seeking a master's degree in Crime Victims Advocacy for education in serving in the courts.

Kristie graduated from a four year program in Criminal Justice from Bemidji State University in 2014 and was hired to be a Victims Advocate for the Headwaters Intervention Center and Family Crisis Center in 2015. 

Kristie grew up in Bagley and attended a year of nurses training in 1996. While the nursing field and Criminal Justice seem to be a great distance apart, she believes God brought her to this time and it is all meant to be. 

“This is where God wants you to be,” her pastor tells her.

In 2009, Kristie was fortunate to have a Habitat home built for her with the help of the Bemidji Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent, and other volunteers. 

In her free time, Kristie does exercise with a trainer at Anytime Fitness, and likes to target practice.

Kristie has three daughters. One is an NDSU Nursing program student, one runs a daycare and a teenager attends on-line classes. Kristie has three grandchildren.