Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Tribal Victim Services

• TRIBAL VICTIM SERVICES
• PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
• PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION
• PROGRAM OUTCOMES
• RELETED DOCUMENTS

The Tribal Victim Services Program addresses issues of abuse and violence within the  Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. , Program staff advocate for victims and organize specific projects and services to address sexual assault, domestic violence, and elder abuse. The program offers educational presentations, adult and youth group sessions, a batterers intervention program, and art therapy classes. In addition, the program also operates a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination, Support, Training, Access and Resources (SAFESTAR) site program. The Tribal Victim Services program has won several awards for its various projects.

Program Running Length:

2001-present

Location:

The reservation is located in Jackson County, which is in the northeastern section of Kansas.

Land Characteristics:

The reservation is an 11-mile contiguous land base located in a rural area, roughly 30-45 miles away from medium sized cities such as Topeka and Kansas City.

Population:

There are 5,000 enrolled members of the tribe. Two thousand enrolled members live on or near the reservation, among a large population of non-Natives. There are three other tribes nearby: the Kickapoo Tribe, the Sac and Fox Nation, and the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, some of whose members also live within the service area of this program.

Before the creation of the Tribal Victim Services program, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation struggled with high rates of domestic violence and had no institutional means of addressing it. The only services available were a Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) located off the reservation and two shelters in cities many miles away. To address the silent and pervasive presence of domestic violence within the community, and to help tribal members who were seeking safety and support, the tribe applied for grant funding to hire a program coordinator for victims services.

Though the program is primarily focused on addressing issues of domestic violence and sexual assault, program staff work with all kinds of crime victims, including tribal members and non-members who live within the service area.

In 2000, the Tribal Social Services Department felt that there was a need to address domestic violence and sexual assault within the tribe. At the time, the closest victim services provider was located many miles off the reservation at the local Young Woman’s Christian Association (YWCA). Social services staff decided to reach out to the tribal victim advocate at the YWCA to see if she would help the tribe develop a domestic violence program. The tribe ultimately hired the victim advocate to assist with this project.

As she began planning the Victim Service Program, the victim advocate quickly realized that many community members were uncomfortable talking about domestic violence. Even when people in the community knew of family or friends living with domestic violence, those individuals were often unwilling to come forward and share their stories with program staff. She recognized that program staff needed to build more trust in the community around issues of domestic violence in order for the program to succeed.

Program staff worked hard to gain the trust of families dealing with domestic violence through extensive community outreach and relationship building. Eventually, word of mouth began to spread that the program was reliable and could help family members and friends that were experiencing victimization.

In 2001, the tribe was awarded a federal STOP Violence Against Women grant to improve victim services. This was followed by another federal grant in 2006. Although the two grants initially funded separate victim services initiatives, the tribe ultimately decided to merge the two programs in 2012 in order to consolidate resources and reduce confusion. Today, the program is called the Tribal Victims Services Program and its primary operations are housed within the tribe’s Social Services Department.

In 2013, program staff petitioned the tribal council to declare October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The council passed a resolution and expressed gratitude that program staff had reached out to them for support. Soon after, the tribe’s vice-chair and secretary spoke out against domestic violence at different community events in a show of support for the program. Community investment in the Tribal Victim Services Program has grown substantially since its formation, and program staff are pleased with the support they receive from tribal council and the community at large.

The Tribal Victim Services Program seeks to end domestic violence and help members of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation return to traditional ways, a time when women were valued and abuse was not tolerated. In Potawatomi culture and tradition, women were important decision makers who were consulted before the tribe could organize war parties. The program would like to help the community return to its customary ways by acknowledging the strength and value of its women.

The Tribal Victim Services Program takes a holistic approach to serving the needs of men, women, and children who are experiencing family violence and/or sexual assault. In addition to providing general victim advocacy services, the program also has several other focus areas that allow it to respond to the diverse needs of its community. The Tribal Victim Services Program has six staff members, each of whom, in addition to providing general advocacy services, has at least one other area of specialty. The program’s focus areas include:

• Victim Advocacy Services
• Elder Services
• SAFESTAR
• Batterers Intervention Program
• Save Visit/Safe Exchange
• Criminal Justice Coordinating Unit
• Community Outreach and Education
• Healing through Arts

Victims Services: The program responds to participants’ needs by providing immediate and robust interventions for those who are seeking safety. The program has a 24-hour hotline and arranges a coordinated crisis response with law enforcement in order to respond effectively in urgent situations. Although the program is designed to work with all victims of crime, program staff work primarily with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

All program staff are victim specialists who work with victims of crime to identify safety concerns and assess individual needs. They ensure that victims are aware of their rights and have access to pertinent information and referral services. Victim Specialists will work with participants to develop a work plan that addresses their needs. This can include safety planning, legal advocacy, crime victim compensation, orders of protection, court accompaniment, temporary financial assistance, community resources, medical care, housing, and spiritual/cultural concerns. The staff also act as advocates for participants by helping them manage areas of their lives that have been impacted by their victimization, such as speaking with employers or school personnel, handling transportation to and from appointments, and other activities related to their personal care.

Though the program does not have a shelter, the staff work to ensure that victims and their families can find safe and affordable housing. The closest shelter is in Topeka, which is about 30 miles away, and it is frequently full. If program staff are unable to enroll their participants in the Topeka shelter, they will help them access the next closest shelter, in Atchison, about 45 miles away. However, because this shelter is located so far away, it can be difficult for victims to attend to their daily responsibilities on the reservation. If a participant’s daily life make it impossible to relocate to Atchison, program staff will work with them to help identify friends or family where they can stay. In certain situations, the program will offer limited financial assistance to help their participants cover the cost of hotels or other temporary housing while they look for a more permanent arrangement.

“We recognize the elder population is particularly vulnerable and we incorporate outreach specifically to elders in our regular activities.” – Program Staff

Elder Services: The program has a staff member assigned to work with elders in order to address elder abuse. In addition to carrying a general victim services caseload, the staff member engages in several projects to ensure that elderly and disabled individuals continue to feel supported and connected, and have access to professional services. Projects include attending senior meal events or viewing Native-themed films with elders and then facilitating a discussion afterwards. There is also a monthly art group that is held at senior meal events, and art lessons can be offered to other elders who reside in assisted living locations off the reservation at the request of a senior’s social worker.

Additionally, program staff conduct monthly drop-ins where they visit elders and the disabled in their homes to have friendly conversations. This enables program staff to ensure that the individuals are having their needs met and have access to appropriate programs and necessary services. Meeting with individuals in their homes helps to reduce isolation, which in turn prevents abuse and allows for earlier identification of problematic or exploitative relationships. Some elders have even disclosed past sexual abuse to staff. Even if these elders are not interested in receiving services, being able to disclose previous trauma to a trusted, non-judgmental person can be very healing.

For World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the program hosts an annual community breakfast in partnership with other social services programs. This annual breakfast helps to raise awareness of Elder Abuse in the community and also creates an opportunity to honor elders in the community.

SAFESTAR: The Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations, Support, Training, Access and Resources (SAFESTAR) project run by the Tribal Victims Services is one of five SAFESTAR programs in the United States. The SAFESTAR initiative is a model of care developed by the Southwest Center for Law and Policy that trains volunteers from the community to respond to sexual assault. The 40-hour intensive training teaches volunteers to deliver emergency first aid to sexual assault victims, to properly collect forensic evidence “rape kits,” and to provide health care referrals. The training also discusses federal and tribal laws on sexual assault and prepares volunteers to advocate against sexual violence in their communities.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Victim Services Program was the second program in the country to implement in this model. It now has six tribal members who have been trained as SAFESTARS and are actively assisting in sexual assault cases. Recently, the program was recognized for its SAFESTAR initiative by the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, a statewide network of twenty-nine advocacy groups. The Coalition honored the Tribal Victims Services Program with a “Project of the Year Award” for its successful implementation of SAFESTAR. The program hopes to train ten more members of the community, including one male, to assist victims of sexual assault.

“As a result of the SAFESTAR program we’ve made it our goal to reclaim that ‘1 out of every 3 Native women’ statistic. Our goal is to assure, in this community, 1 in 3 Native women are trained to recognize sexual assault, call it for what it is, and respond helpfully to those that experience it.” – Program Staff

Batterers Intervention Program: The Batterers Intervention Program is called T.R.A.C.K.S, which stands for “Traditions, Respect, Accountability, Change, Knowledge, and Safety.” The program is based upon a model used by the Family Peace Initiative, a program located in Topeka. The program incorporates some elements of the Duluth model—such as control logs and vignettes—but is significantly more trauma informed. The T.R.A.C.K.S. model acknowledges that participants’ early traumas can contribute to shaping their beliefs and behaviors in their present relationships. At the same time, the T.R.A.C.K.S. model also holds participants accountable for owning and changing those beliefs and behaviors in the futures.

The T.R.A.C.K.S. model acknowledges several different types of batterers and the different risks that may be associated them. Facilitators are trained to understand that power and control may not be the only motives that lead people to use violence in their intimate relationships. The 32-week curriculum includes an assessment and two orientation sessions. The program has also begun incorporating healing by including art in some group sessions.

Safe Visit/Safe Exchange: The Safe Visit/Safe Exchange program is located in the same building as the Batterers Intervention Program. This setting—away from the court, social services, and law enforcement—is meant to feel welcoming, non-threatening, and “homey.” The idea is to bring family members together in a safe and comfortable environment. The program uses an approach based on the Safe Havens guiding principles and is victim centered. The Safe Visit/Safe Exchange coordinator completes an orientation with both parents and the children prior to allowing any visits. This approach allows the coordinator to identify safety risks and concerns from the onset. During visits, the coordinator focuses on detecting abusive behavior being used by batterers, documenting it, and intervening when appropriate.

Community Justice Coordinating Unit: The staff member for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Unit is an advocate who shares her time between the Tribal Law Enforcement Department, the Tribal Prosecutor’s Office, and the Victim’s Services Office. She follows up on all police reports involving an identifiable victim within 72 hours of the report being made. During her telephone follow up call she asks about the victim’s satisfaction regarding how the Law Enforcement Office responded to the case. This call in an opportunity to ensure that the victim has a chance to ask questions and get answers regarding any issues they may have.

Immediately after an incident, many victims are not in the mental state to receive and retain information they are presented with, especially about legal processes. Waiting a day or two before reinitiating contact with the victim can give them time to calm down and better think through their situation in order to determine the best course of action. In particular, program staff have found that the question of whether or not a case will go to state or tribal court is particularly confusing, and therefore stressful, to victims. Being able to help victims think through what to expect can alleviate some of the victim’s stress and increase their ability to exercise their rights and participate in the legal process, regardless of what jurisdiction they may end up in.

Additionally, the advocate can respond on scene, if Law Enforcement request her presence. The staff member also assists with completing and following up on family violence risk assessments, and coordinating and preparing victim witnesses for court, whether it be state or tribal. The coordinator is currently working on a community needs assessment to identify and address gaps within the program’s delivery systems.

Community Outreach: The Tribal Victim Services program places a strong emphasis on outreach. When the program first launched, many community members were distrustful of the program and unwilling to use its services. Program staff made it a priority to establish credibility and trust by creating a visible presence within the community. The program would send staff to as many community events as possible, including events with no apparent connection to domestic violence, in order to interact with community members. These efforts make the program more visible and create a positive image of their program and the work it does. In fact, program staff often sit on planning committees for tribal events to ensure that their organization will be offered space at the events to table.

“We’ve taken a non-conventional approach to outreach. We seek to build relationships everywhere – anyone and everyone.” – Rebekah Jones, Tribal Victim Services Program Director

At these community events, program staff set up tables, hand out information, and spend time with members of the community. The program also offers face painting for children at their tables. Face painting has been an integral aspect of their outreach, as it allows program staff to approach community members in a non-threatening way and establish friendly relationships with women and their children. Staff can even inquire about health and safety without attracting suspicion from potential abusers. The program sends at least two staff members to events so that while one, or more, of the staff members paint the children’s faces, another staff member can talk to the parent.

As part of outreach, program staff also give presentations to other organizations, generally about domestic violence and about their services. They are also willing to offer presentations on other subjects at the request of the organization. In the past, for example, the program has been asked to present on suicide prevention. As suicide is intrinsically linked to violence and is often the result of unaddressed trauma, program staff felt they would be able to contribute meaningfully to the topic.

The program also presents to youth on prevention topics, sometimes in partnership with others, like the Boys and Girls Club or Haskell Indian Nations University. During these presentations, program staff hold separate conversations with groups of boys and girls to discuss healthy relationships.

“People do not want to just sit and talk about domestic violence, sexual assault, or the impacts of trauma. Instead, we create events where we are collaborating with different programs to deliver family-centered activities.” – Program Staff

Over time, the program has expanded its presence in the community to include several large initiatives, including the “Walk a Mile in Their Mocs Domestic Violence Awareness Walk,” the “Take Back the Night Sexual Assault Awareness Walk,” and the “Splatters that Matter Art Half Marathon for Domestic Violence.” Additionally, the program organizes events, such as their 80’s Prom Night Community Dance, an annual Trunk or Treat Event, an annual New Year’s Eve Sobriety Pow Wow, and monthly Movies in the Park Family Night, in order to be considered an indispensable part of planning and participating in community events.

The program also tries to engage in creative outreach projects such as their care bear drive, where they partnered with tribal law enforcement to seek donations of stuffed animals. Through their efforts, one hundred stuffed animals were donated to the tribal police department. The stuffed bears are given to children who have experienced some form of trauma to provide comfort.

“And the kids know us, trust us, and they leave us feeling good, which is what we want.” – Program Staff

Healing Through Arts: Tribal Victims Services runs a Healing Through Arts program, which encourages victims of crime to express their emotions using different art therapies in group sessions. Through art, participants are able to address issues of abuse and trauma while promoting healthy relationships. The program offers one class for women and a separate class for families. If lack of childcare prevents a woman from attending the women’s group, staff will allow her to bring her family into the women’s group. Many of the kids who attend the family sessions are in the child welfare system or are involved in foster care, and staff work with them as part of their court-mandated case plan. In addition to these group sessions, the program has recently begun integrating healing through art sessions as part of the Batterers Intervention Program.

Tribal Victim Services organized a project called the Community Story Tree, in which victims of crime painted panels and then combined the panels to form the image of a large tree. The tree ultimately consisted of 72 panels that represented the hopes and dreams of each participant for the community. The Community Story Tree was awarded the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) 2013 Professional Innovation in Victims Services Award.

Prairie Band members follow a diversity of religious practices, including the Native American Church, several types of Protestantism, Catholicism, and Mormonism. Some families even integrate traditional tribal practices, such as sweats and drumming ceremonies, into their other religious practices. With this diversity in mind, Tribal Victim Services Program is flexible when it comes to addressing culture and tradition as part of the healing process. Program staff are themselves diverse in their religious beliefs and often act as resources to clients who are seeking to strengthen their religious and cultural bonds while healing.

The Tribal Victims Services Program has six full-time staff. Along with the regular caseload as victim specialists, each staff member engages in community outreach and facilitates group sessions. With the exception of the program director, each staff member also has a specialty area with responsibility over different initiatives to combat abuse and violence in the community.

The program’s primary office is located within the Tribe’s Social Service Department. However, the program also has one satellite office located at the Tribal Police Department. Additionally, the Batterer’s Intervention Program, and the Safe Visit/Safe Exchange Program, operate in another location within the reservation.