Janine Thaler is the outreach coordinator at the Park Rapids office. “Our belief is that direct advocacy and education is vital to breaking the cycle of violence,” she said. “We also have a full-time advocate in our office.”
The Family Safety Network covers Hubbard, Cass and Clearwater counties, with additional offices in Walker and Bagley.
Annette White, the program’s executive director, said family violence can affect anyone.
“It happens in all walks of life,” she said. “It happens to males and females. Relatives may financially abuse or neglect elders or there may be a child in the home who is out of control.”
She said the best way for family members and friends to help someone who is experiencing domestic violence is to believe them.
“The most important thing is to let victims see they have choices and there are people and programs to support them,” she said.
White said that people living with domestic abuse often feel like there is no way out. “We can help find solutions,” she said. “The biggest question I would ask is ‘Are you safer staying in this? Is there a risk in leaving? Yes, absolutely. But five months from now, where are you going to be if you stay? And how are you going to break that cycle?’”
White said domestic assault is a learned behavior.
When deciding whether to stay in a situation or leave, White says she asks the victim this question: “If you were advising your child on this situation, what would you want them to do? As a parent, you can do nothing less because they’re watching you.”
“Not every victim is going to leave,” White said. “But if they’re not going to, we would still want to work on a safety plan so they will know what to do if they go back into a situation and violence begins again.”
The FATHER Project in Park Rapids is also working with the Family Safety Network, offering assistance to male offenders to help them break the cycle of abuse.
For those who decided to leave a domestic violence situation, White said there are a number of safe places to stay, including a shelter in Bemidji, emergency lodging programs through area hotels and safe houses.
More emergency housing options are needed. “There are 96 domestic violence programs in the state and only 26 shelters,” she said.
White said there’s a lot of shame connected with people who are caught up in domestic violence. “We are a judgement-free zone,” she said. “We’re here to help you connect with resources to help you get out of this storm.”
She said the Family Safety Network can help with orders for protection and harassment.
“We work in tandem with all of the area nonprofits to bring in the help that they need,” she said.
They also provide resources to help victims create a plan for moving forward.
“We’ll walk with you on that walk,” she said. “You, as the victim, have to do the work but we’ll be here with you. It’s very much an ongoing relationship.”
White said breaking away from the cycle of violence also gives the victim and any children in the family the opportunity to get into therapy or other programs.
Free legal clinics are offered to help clients with issues of child custody, child support and more.
Family Safety Network has a partnership with Legal Aid Services of Northeast and Northwest Minnesota as well as Anishinabe Legal Services. Call the Family Safety Network to make an appointment to see an attorney.
Another service provided is advocacy.
“Our advocates do court accompaniments for people who have hearings due to domestic assault,” she said.
“We’re also working on programs and presentations we can bring into the schools. That probably won’t happen until fall, but it is absolutely at the forefront of our strategic plan.”
A domestic abuse peer support group is offered the last Monday of each month. The group is open to victims of domestic violence and their family and friends.
Due to the nature of topics discussed, the group is for those 16 or older. Meetings are held in Suite 1 at 107 Grove Ave. South in Park Rapids.
Financial empowerment classes are also offered. For more information, call 732-7413 or email outreach@familysafetynetwork.net.
The Family Safety Network offers a 24-hour crisis line answered by trained volunteers at 800-324-8151. Anyone whose safety is in immediate danger should call 911 first.
White said their agency has very good relationships with area law enforcement agencies.
“Many times a local officer will provide victims with our card and then will call our crisis line to let us know,” she said. “Last weekend we had six calls from law enforcement. If the victim doesn’t call us, we reach out because the best time to build a relationship with the victim is at a time of crisis.”
White said the biggest need is for gift cards for gas, groceries and basic necessities. Gift cards of $25 to $30 are suggested, and Trac phones are also needed.
“These people leave with nothing,” she said. “And many times the abuser will break their phone to isolate them.”
Family Safety Network provides a toiletry bag with shampoo and soap and area churches provide quilts.
“The Park Rapids community has been wonderful,” she said.
Gift cards can be mailed to Family Safety Network, P.O. Box 803, Park Rapids, MN 56470.
Donations may also be made by check to the 5013c organization.
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Family Safety Network offers domestic violence resources - Park Rapids Enterprise
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