Idaho ranks ninth in the country for domestic violence.

"Out of 50 states, we're nine," crime victim advocate Christine Jones said Tuesday.

Kootenai County ranks sixth in the state for domestic violence, "which is down from where we used to be," Jones said.

"We used to be No. 1," she said. "Those are just some stats to keep in mind how prevalent this is."

Jones is one half of the Post Falls Police Department Victim Services Unit. She and crime victim advocate Camie Wereley are first responders on call 24/7, 365 days a year, alternating every week to assist victims with everything from dog bites to homicide to hostage situations.

During a presentation for the Post Falls City Council, Jones shared data that showed from July 2021 through June 22, the Victim Services Unit assisted anywhere from about 40 to roughly 80 new clients each month, with sometimes nearly double the number of follow-ups.

"We try to help them navigate the system," Jones said. "Once you get into the judicial system, there's not a clear path. It can go all kinds of directions."

Domestic violence is the overwhelming crime Jones and Wereley encounter in their work.

“We are trying to help reduce recidivism cases of domestic violence,” Jones said. "Even if it’s not a physical domestic, no reports written, just a verbal altercation between two people, Camie and I are following up with these people, seeing if we can get them resources, referrals, whatever it is they may need so it doesn’t become physical and somebody goes to jail. We try to get that to stop.”

Although domestic violence is a monster in this work, the Victim Services Unit also assists those who have experienced physical assault, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking and more.

"Stalking has become more prevalent," Jones said, adding this is especially true as people use digital devices to track children and those with whom they are not supposed to have contact.

The Victims Services Unit is a nonprofit governmental agency. It was supported by funds through the Violence Against Women Act until about five years ago, when those funds went away. The city of Post Falls has since picked up staff wages and other funding sources are relied upon to help victims in need.

In October the unit was granted $77,000 from the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance to continue its work through this time next year. Those funds will pay for client transportation, emergency shelter and food vouchers, child care, home security such as Ring doorbells, legal assistance and other victim support.

"We have had a hard time finding any kind of child care for drop-ins, or those who all of a sudden have court next week," Jones said. "No child care facility will let you take in drop-ins anymore," but it's important to keep those funds available if they can be used to compensate family or friends who fill that need, she said.

Heather Cunningham, executive director Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance, participated in the presentation via video conference. According to information she provided, the majority of funding for victim services in Idaho comes from the federal Victims of Crime Act, funded by penalties from federal crimes, which fluctuate. That funding peaked at $18 million in 2018 and decreased in the subsequent years to $12 million, then $9 million, then $6 million.

"Looking ahead, I could see by the time we got to $6 million a year, fiscal year '24, we could lose half the victim service programs in the state," Cunningham said. "We need about $12 million per year to sustain programs in the state."

She said VOCA funding could be thought of as a statewide buffet that has to feed the entire state.

"Almost every victim service program in the state is funded or receives some funding from VOCA," Cunningham said.

The state of Idaho ranks fifth for the least amount of victim services funding in the country, at $300,000 per year.

“How in the world can the two of you maintain what you do and provide the services you provide?” Post Falls Mayor Ron Jacobson asked Jones. "I’m amazed you were able to five or 10 years ago, but how can two of you continue to provide that service with the growth we’ve seen?"

"Let's just say there are some days that it's harder than others," Jones said. "We just seem to do it."

Wereley said she does this job because it matters to her to stand up for people who may not otherwise have a voice.

"Often when someone is in an abusive relationship, they have been demoralized, threatened or silenced in other ways," she said. "I like helping people through difficult situations, and my position in the Victim Services Unit gives me that opportunity."

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse, call the Victim Services Unit at 208-773-1080.

Info: www.postfallspolice.com/services-view/victim-service-unit