An anti-violence organization in Wrangell is hosting two public discussions Friday on preventing and responding to abuse.
Val Massie is the Women in Safe Homes board representative for Wrangell, also known as WISH. It’s a domestic violence and sexual assault center based in Ketchikan.
“Alaska as a state, experiences the highest rate of domestic violence and sexual assault in the nation, and it’s always been difficult to provide rural areas like Wrangell with all of the same services as a larger community,” she said.
The focus groups will meet Friday at noon to 2 p.m. and at 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Nolan Center. It’s part of ongoing efforts to build capacity and provide resources for those affected by abuse.
“Physical abuse is usually like the tip of the iceberg,” Massie said. “There’s a lot that happens before that – financial, mental, emotional types of abuse – and those are invisible a lot of the time or hard to see, and so they don’t get the response that they need to prevent them. And a lot can be perpetuated.”
She said Wrangell faces a lack of local services like shelters and advocates. To assist with the shortage, she said community support is important for those experiencing abuse.
“They don’t necessarily need to be told what to do, but often folks just need someone to witness and be there, just like any other time in life,” Massie said. “Empathy goes a long way.”
The sessions are open to all ages and genders. People can drop by for as little or long as they want. They aim to gather community input on current responses and desired improvements. Participants can write down their thoughts if they are not comfortable speaking up with someone.
Anyone who cares about the issue can attend
Additionally, the sessions are not just for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, but for anyone who cares about the issue.
WISH offers various services beyond just living in a shelter. They include legal advocacy, counseling and support groups. These services help victims become aware of their situation and provide them with social support.
The resource center can be reached at 907-225-9474
