Representatives from Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse (ATVP) spoke before the Pullman City Council Tuesday, highlighting the need to combat domestic violence at a local and national level. 

Oct. 1 marked the first day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Jill Crump, domestic violence services coordinator with ATVP, presented council members with a statement emphasizing the reality millions of Americans encounter every day.

“Since the passage of The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 20 years ago, our country has seen a real change from the old fashion idea that family violence is a private issue and not a society ill that affects us all,” she said.

President Barack Obama signed and renewed VAWA in March 2013, widening protection for domestic violence victims.

“The reauthorization of VAWA now protects immigrants, victims on tribal land and victims of the gay and lesbian community,” Crump said.

ATVP provided victim support services for more than 400 individuals in 2012. Ninety-five of those victims took refuge at one of ATVP’s domestic violence shelters, she said.

Although services for victims of domestic violence have increased and law enforcement responses have improved, there is more to be done ensure people’s safety, Crump said.

“Our advocates and volunteers provide a crisis intervention by answering over 3,700 hotline calls and providing over 2,900 counseling hours,” she said. “These figures reflect the ongoing need for support services for victims and survivors of domestic violence.”

ATVP Executive Director Christine Wall said ATVP board members make sure services become available through attaining federal, state and local grants.

“They bring in approximately $750,000 a year so we can combat domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and child abuse right here on the Palouse,” she said.

In addition to educating students throughout the Palouse about how to prevent domestic violence crimes, Wall announced they want to provide Pullman law enforcement and prosecutorial staff with a another training course related to online crimes.

“One of the things they really wanted was to figure out stalking techniques on the internet that perpetrators use so utilizing the technology that stalkers use to investigate stalkers,” Wall said.

Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins said he recognizes the importance of decreasing local domestic violence crime and that he appreciates the annual training provided by ATVP.  A grant provided by WSU helps pay overtime for officers so they can attend the ATVP training.

Jenkins said tackling cyber-crimes such as identity theft and stalking can be difficult due to the frequent advances in technology. However, he views ATVP’s services as an efficient way to gain the knowledge so law enforcement can have the upper hand. 

“It’s always tough for us to stay one step ahead, particularly in technology issues used by criminals so that’s very valuable training,” he said.