Escape Button - Click here to leave this site
Skagit Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services
Contact Us
Language/Idioma
Please Note: Not all content is available in Spanish.
Call 360-336-9591
for information.
Volunteers are essential to the work we do. Whatever your interests or skills, chances are, we have a job for you!
Click here for information.

Our Services

Mission Statement and Program Components

The mission of Skagit Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services is to end domestic violence and sexual assault in our community through empowerment, advocacy, education, awareness and action for social change.

OVERVIEW OF CORE SERVICES

All services are provided without charge. Experienced Spanish speaking staff are available at the office and shelter.

Services for adults in all agency programs include safety planning, individual advocacy, support groups, and linkages to community resources such as education and job training programs, and access to transitional or permenant housing resources. Specialized legal advocacy is available for assistance with civil and criminal issues. Chemical dependancy referral services are available to those struggling with substance abuse. In addition to the cores servics, shelter residents are provided with all basic needs, including food, clothing, personal care items, bus tickets and emergency needs. Interpreter services are available and provided as needed.

Likewise, core services for children in our programs include childcare, individual advocacy, support groups, age-appropriate safety planning, and advocacy with school and other resources.

24-hour crisis intervention, emergency confidential shelter, advocacy, support services, resource information together with education and training for members of the community are provided without discrimination by reason of race, color, religion, disability, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, ethnicity, income, veteran status, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. All services are confidential and provided free of charge.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

  • Emergency shelter program: Provides temporary shelter through a confidential emergency shelter program for victims who cannot safely remain in their homes due to violence. Services include food, clothing and other necessities, individual advocacy as well as legal, medical and social service agency advocacy and support groups. Support and problem solving help guide victims to the autonomy necessary to remain out of a dangerous living situation.  

 

  • Crisis-intervention: Skagit DV & SA Services maintains a 24-hour hotline for domestic violence and sexual assault. Survivors, family members, or social services providers can call anytime to seek help for themselves or someone they know. Our training advocates can provide them with information and referrals, legal advocacy, medical advocacy, and general emotional support. 

 

  • Advocacy-based counseling: Advocacy-based counseling is availiable to all survivors or family members who have been affected by domestic violence and/or sexual assault and is provided by a qualified and experienced advocate specifically trained in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault. Regular appointments may be scheduled Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

  • Legal advocacy: Provides information and referrals for resources, attorney referrals, active advocacy for/with clients, assistance with obtaining Orders of Protection, Crime Victims Compensation application assistance, courtroom/hearing support, legal education regarding the law and domestic violence and sexual assault issues, assistance with paperwork, networking with law enforcement, the courts, legal advisors and other agencies. Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

  • Medical advocacy/Emergency room assistance: Skagit DV & SA Services advocates are availiable to provide inofrmation about medical options, connect people to resources, and accompany victims to the emergency room for exams.

 

  • Specialized training: for staff/volunteers who provide direct services to victims and for personnel employed by the criminal justice system, social services, mental health, hospitals, etc. Volunteers are the backbone of our agency; they help with our 24-hour crisis line, provide support services to victims of abuse, assist staff in the office and at the shelter and assist with clerical support, community education, fundraising projects and providing advisory services to the agency.Call our office at 336-9591 to find out when the next bi-annual advocacy training will be held.

 

  • Adult Women’s Domestic Violence Support Group- Provides a safe, comfortable, non-judgmental atmosphere for clients to process crisis and recovery issues in a group setting and provides education and information regarding domestic violence issues. Group is held weekly on Thursday evenings. Call office for intake and referral.

 

  • Children’s Safety and Prevention Activity Group- Provides a safe, comfortable, social and learning atmosphere for the children of domestic violence victims who are in the Domestic Violence support groups. Group is held weekly on Thursday evenings.

 

  • Adolescent Survivors of Sexual Assault/Abuse Education-Based Support Group- Provides a safe, comfortable, non-judgmental atmosphere for resident adolescents to learn about the healing process and gain the tools to reclaim their lives. Provides education and information regarding abuse issues in a group setting.
    Groups are provided at area schools.

 

SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS

Skagit County Domestic Violence Impact Panel
The Domestic Violence Impact Panel is administered by Skagit Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services. The goal of the project is to increase awareness in the participants, largely referred by Skagit County courts, of the impact their violence has on their families, particularly on children. The long-range goal is to be part of the solution to the problem of ending violence in Skagit County.

Kulshan Creek Neighborhood Station Outreach to Latino Community
Using a community development model to reduce the number of family violence incidents by providing resource information to families and prevention activities for the children living in the neighborhood. Community Development is a model for involving communities in identifying the strategies that will be most effective for each unique group in ending domestic and sexual violence. Program activities such as: Family Heritage Celebration, Latin Women’s Group (Mujeres En Accion), Girls Empowerment Groups, prevention presentations, etc.

DV Advocacy Outreach at DSHS/WorkFirst
On-Site Family Violence Services – Domestic Violence advocate located at the DSHS Community Services Office (CSO) assists DSHS in determining the appropriate WorkFirst activity for participants who experience family violence, links participants to needed services available in the community, and provide preventive and intervention services.

Youth Prevention and Education Program
Activities such as: Hands Are Not For Hitting, Powerful Voices, Girls Empowerment Groups, Harassment-Free Classroom Community Development Prevention Projects

Native American Project Services
Technical assistance, support and training provided to the Swinomish and Upper Skagit Indian Tribes in their efforts to address domestic violence in their community and training regarding victim safety and enforcement of protection orders for tribal communities across WA State

GTEA (Grants to Encourage Arrest) Project
Technical assistance and training to identify and integrate a response to sexual assault and stalking in the context of domestic violence along with improving safety for the victim and support for the victim and family throughout the criminal legal process.

To find out more about Skagit Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services you can call our office at 360.336.9591.

If you have an emergency or are calling after hours, please call our 24-hour crisis-line at 1.888.336.9591.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Skagit DV&SA Services Community Education Program offers workshops, professional trainings, and general presentations in order to raise awareness and educate the community about domestic violence and sexual assault issues. We teach medical professionals, chemical dependancy professionals, school staff, court personnel and law enforcement officers through specialized trainings. We visit churches, businesses, and schools, community groups, social service providers, and many others. Topics include Youth Empowerment, Healthy Relationships, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Asault, Child Sexual Abuse, Advocacy, Anti-Oppression, Community Resources, and more! These presentations are adapted to fit the special needs of the community group requesting the speaker.

In Her Shoes: Living with Domestic Violence
For Adult or Senior High-School Audiences

This interactive simulation increases participants’ awareness and understanding of what victims of domestic violence face as they attempt to flee violence. Participants walk “in her shoes” as they repeat the same steps and encounter the same barriers that a victim has experienced when leaving an abusive partner. This program has a profound impact on participants and emphasizes that all members of a community have a role to play if we are to end domestic violence. In Her Shoes is designed for a group of 20 to 30 participants, with 1½ to 2 hours needed to complete the inter-active simulation, and allow for discussion, questions and answers.

Call Skagit DV&SA Services to learn more about our education to end violence and to schedule a presentation for your school or community group. 360-336-9591