SANDPOINT — While privately funded support services like Priest River Ministries provide several types of assistance to North Idaho women and families in crisis, the Bonner County Prosecutor's office has much to offer victims of assault and abuse as well.

The Bonner County Sheriff first established the Victim Advocate Services Team in 1997 to address a growing concern about domestic violence in the region. Nine years later, VAST moved to the prosecutor's office and expanded its services to include victims of all crimes. 

"VAST currently employs three advocates, one of whom is bilingual in Spanish and able to interpret, as well as a Facility Dog to help ease the stress of our most vulnerable," said Peggy Frye, VAST supervisor.

A primary distinction between VAST and a privately funded women's advocacy service is that VAST primarily assists crime victims, either those the police bring in, victims seeking legal protection or those who file complaints.

"VAST assists with petitioning for civil protection orders regardless of criminal charges ... If a victim merely wants a CPO and the ability to leave, we respect their wishes. We also run a 24-hour crisis line where victims can reach us any time, day or night," Frye said. "VAST also provides transportation for victims in need whether to court, to file a CPO, to attend an appointment as well as to locations outside the immediate area, (such as) the Spokane airport."

Priest River Ministries, in contrast, serves those people who ask for help outside of the criminal justice system. Sometimes, the two agencies work together as well.

"VAST is also able to respond with law enforcement at the scene, providing immediate access to advocacy and resources in the community. Quite often, one of those resources is Priest River Ministries," Frye said.

She wants the public to be aware that VAST, like PRM, has the resources to meet the emergency needs of clients.

"Through donations to our program, VAST is able to provide gas vouchers and groceries. We also keep on hand in our response vehicle CPO petitions and extra clothing and toiletries for those fleeing a situation or whom have had their clothes taken as evidence," she said.

However, while VAST advocates are often part of the sheriff's first response team and work closely with Sharon Bistodeau, sexual assault nurse examiner at Bonner General Health, services like Priest River Ministries continue to work with domestic violence and sexual assault victims over the longer term, helping them to rebuild their lives, Frye said.

According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, 36 of 100 rape victims file police reports after the incident. Only seven of those police reports lead to an arrest, just three of the seven reach the prosecutor's desk and typically, only 2 out of 100 rapists will do prison time for their crimes. In light of these statistics, many victims opt not to report rape so they don’t have to face the trauma of a criminal trial, said Rhonda Encinas, CEO of Priest River Ministries Advocates for Women.

“That’s the group we serve,” she said.

Both VAST and PRM provide essential services to victims of violence. Sometimes they work separately, and sometimes they join forces. In either case, Bonner County victims have access to the critical support they need, both immediately and in the long-term.