Wrangell receives $1 million toward domestic violence prevention

A Ketchikan nonprofit has helped the Wrangell tribal council secure a $1 million federal grant toward domestic violence and sexual abuse prevention, and advocacy for survivors.

Agnes Moran, executive director at Women in Safe Homes in Ketchikan, helped Wrangell Cooperative Association apply for the grant from Indian Health Services. The entirety of the $1 million is for Wrangell, tribal and non-tribal, at $200,000 a year over the next five years, she said May 10.

The goal is to create two job positions at WCA to address domestic violence - one prevention, and one advocacy - Valerie Massie, coordinator for the Indian General Assistance Program at WCA, said Friday via email. The prevention position would be created first, with Ketchikan staff at WISH providing training.

The second position, an advocate for survivors and their dependents experiencing abuse, could provide more safety-oriented services in Wrangell, Massie said. That will require collaborating with law enforcement and finding a more secure location to work out of than the WCA office.

Moran said starting with a prevention position for the first year would get the worker integrated into the community in a positive manner, followed by an advocacy position the next year.

WCA will be the lead. "They will be designing and selecting the appropriate programs. They will start out by doing a survey of the community needs," Moran said.

Before she moved to Wrangell, Massie used to work for Abused Women's Aid in Crisis, a domestic violence safe shelter in Anchorage.

"I know how vital it is for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors to have local resources at the ready, right when they need them," Massie said. "WISH has served Wrangell for many years and a lot can be done remotely, but that physical and emotional presence in Wrangell will be invaluable."

The prevention aspect could look like programs such as "I Toowú Klatseen/Boys on the Run," an adaptation of a Sitka-based 10-week running program for men and boys.

"Participants will gain the skills they need to build healthy relationships and create a community of respect for self and others," Massie said. That includes discussion and culturally based activities which honor Southeast Alaska traditional values.

Other prevention work would look like adult and family outreach and education, time in the schools educating students about safe relationships and what to do when they feel unsafe or confused.

The funding would bolster much of the work that BRAVE already is doing in Wrangell.

For survivors and their dependents, the advocate position would help them while or after they experience abuse.

The advocate could help with a secure place to live, safety planning for escaping an abuser, legal help in procuring a protective order or changes to child custody, divorce, financial or logistical support if there has been financial abuse, counseling, social support and relocation assistance.

"Abuse is not just physical," Massie said. "Usually there is financial, emotional, mental abuse, and/or social isolation before physical violence occurs."

Dealing with abusers or perpetrators can be dangerous work, especially in a small town like Wrangell, Massie said. Proper safety measures need to be in place before services such as safe housing can be offered.

Joan Sargent, treasurer at Building Respect and Valuing Everyone (BRAVE), a 5-year-old volunteer organization to prevent violence in the Wrangell community, heard about the federal grant opportunity from WISH in November. She is a WISH board member.

Sargent told Massie, and WCA Tribal Administrator Aaltséen/Esther Reese and Massie brought it before the WCA council in December, where it was approved for application.

Wrangell is an underserved area, Moran said. "We've struggled with how to support you," she said. "We've sent people up periodically. But we've never felt we provided adequate coverage."

Abuse comes in many forms, and often the most hurtful kind is invisible, Massie said.

"Those family and friends outside of the relationship may ask why someone does not 'just leave' their abuser," she said. "Often, leaving isn't as simple as breaking up and walking away. The risk of death is highest for a victim of domestic violence after they leave their abuser. Leaving often requires planning and a support system. Men can be victims of abuse as well, and it can get much worse because of the social stigma around men seeking help."

Massie provided two numbers for people who need help: StrongHearts Native Helpline 1-844-7NATIVE (844-762-8483) a safe, anonymous and confidential domestic violence and dating violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, offering culturally appropriate support and advocacy, and the WISH Ketchikan Hotline: 907-225-9474 or 800-478-9474.