By Josh Margolis
HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Victim Services for HRDC District 4 is back up and running after having to be suspended for a portion of last year due to a staffing shortage.
District 4 Victim Services Director Rose DeBerry says they are here to provide comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and other crimes. They have a 24-hour-crisis line, which can be reached by calling 406-265-2222.
“And they can call that 24 hours-a-day. There’s trained volunteers that man that line for us. And then if they need immediate assistance, they go to an advocate. We also have shelter services right now, so the Haven is our domestic violence shelter, which is up and running again.”
DeBerry says since they started back up, they have been extremely busy.
“Because domestic violence doesn’t stop…When I came on, there was nobody else here. So I kind of took a minute to try and get comfortable with the program, see how things were run, what services that were provided and how to do that. So that when I did open it up, I could be more informed…Since then, it’s been non-stop. We’ve had order of protections, people utilizing the shelter, needing transportation, safety planning, and the crisis line has been up and going since about the middle of December. And calls are coming in through there. Luckily, we have the volunteers that help take care of the crisis line.”
DeBerry says they continue to operate in a limited capacity due to a funding shortage, so they plan on holding fundraisers this year to help with those efforts.
“We are still providing vital essential services to these victims, and those services (will always) be needed. So we’re just trying to get some help so we can continue to provide those services until we can secure funding.”
Plans in the works include a vendor fair and partnerships with restaurants and other local businesses.
For those interested in volunteering to help with the crisis line, contact DeBerry at 406-265-6743, extension 1139.
