Violence and abuse is in our county
Tue, 07/31/2018 - 1:09pm
admin
Sex traffickers are constantly on the hunt for vulnerable children they can exploit for their financial gain and one in four women will experience domestic violence during their lifetime. It is wrong to say that this does not happen in Clearwater County. Most domestic violence incidents are never reported.
There are two places in the county where one can get help. “Support Within Reach, Sexual Violence Resource Center’” and “Headwaters Intervention Center.”
“Support Within Reach, Sexual Violence Resource Center” with Verena Pletschett, who started that position in November of 2017, is located at 79 Spencer Ave SW in Bagley in the same building as the library across from Kubiaks. Verena has a degree in Behavior Science from Northland Community College.
“Support Within Reach” is a private, non-profit, sexual violence resource center that provides services to Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard and Itasca Counties. They provide services to women, children, and men who have experienced sexual violence directly or indirectly. They are available 24 hours a day. Their day number for Clearwater County is 218-694-2210 or any other time is 1-800-708-2727.
Verena does orders for protection and harassment and she is in the CCVC as well as pathways for poverty. Verena is the head chairperson for CC SAART which is called Clearwater County Sexual Assault Response Team. People that are a part of that team are from the County Attorney office, Headwater Advocate, Human Services, School resource officers and school counselors along with law enforcement. She also assists in court proceedings for support for the victims and for sexual assault exams. Support Within Reach’s mission is:
•Provide trained advocates for survivors.
•Offer prevention education to aid in the protection of women, children and men from sexual violence.
•Assure that survivors of sexual violence are treated with dignity and respect.
•Empower individuals and communities through information, knowledge, and the services available to survivors and those who care about them.
“Headwaters Intervention Center” of Bagley has hired Misty Larson, who has a degree in Criminal Justice from Bemidji State University and Northland Community College, as the Clearwater County Domestic Violence Coordinator and advocate.
She is the new face in the domestic violence center located across the street from the courthouse in Bagley. 18th and 2nd NE, Bagley next to the Sanford Eye Clinic. The Bagley Office phone number is 218-694-2831. The Domestic Violence Help line number is 1-800-939-2199 and can be reached 24 hours a day 7 days a week. They specialize in advocacy, providing a listening ear, help victims sort through their options.
Misty officially started on April 17, 2018 for this non-profit organization that services both Hubbard and Clearwater Counties. As an advocate she is also a member of the Clearwater County Citizens for Violence free Community (CCVC), working directly within “Support within Reach, Clearwater County Pathways” project and various other community groups.
Misty is the domestic violence advocate which is professionally trained to support victims of domestic violence. She offers victims information, emotional support, filling out paper work and forms such as Order of Protection, Harassment Orders, and helping to understand DANCO orders. While helping find specific resources that are specific to the needs of the victim.
She works hand-in-hand with Clearwater and Hubbard County Judges, attorney’s, sheriffs department, both Clearbrook-Gonvick and Bagley Police Departments and makes an amazing resource.
If you are a victim that needs her assistance just know that it may be difficult for you to reach out for help. You will find once you come in for guidance that she can offer you information, support and access to helpful services you might not know about. As a domestic violence victim you will be relieved to know that her agency wants to make sure you are safe and to help you recover from the impact of the crime.
Moving Forward group sessions are offered to discuss strategies for moving toward a positive change. Monthly legal clinics are available upon request. Their services are Free and Confidential.
They offer a variety of services to anyone who is dealing with sexual violence in their life. They have support groups and follow-up assistance.
“Headwaters Intervention Center’s” mission statement is “Where Change Begins and Violence ends”. Both Verena and Misty work close together, although they are in separate offices and under different programs. They plan to have a booth at the Clearwater County Fair and October is Domestic Awareness Month and they will be setting up community forums that month.