EMMETT, Idaho — Advocates Against Family Violence, a Caldwell-based nonprofit working to eliminate domestic abuse and sexual assault just expanded services to meet demand in rural areas.
New full-time employees in Emmett and Middleton will help more people get help faster. Executive director Kim Deugan said the organization partnered with various agencies to pull off the expansion, including the Gem County Prosecutor's Office, Valor Health and Middleton Police Department.
She said the idea came about last year.
"This all started out of the fact that we had already had eight cases that we were working on out in Emmett," Deugan said, "and then the victim witness coordinator and the prosecuting attorney reaching out and saying, we need to do more. And so, we all pulled together and said, okay, this is what we're going to do."
Traditionally, she said smaller communities have less money coming in to support victims, which means they often have to travel to Boise, Nampa, Meridian or Caldwell to get support.
Deugan said the expansion helps fill the gap.
"Those survivors that are out there in those rural communities, they're alone, and they don't have anybody to help support them in their journey to freedom and a journey to a life free of violence," she said. "And so, with us to be out there helping them through that journey and giving them the services and support that they need, it will be insurmountable that the results that they'll see in their lives."
The full-time advocate in Emmett will work out of the Gem County Prosecutor's Office and Valor Health. The Middleton advocate will work out of the Middleton Police Department.
"Bringing it to an advocate, we can stand in the gap and help support not only the police department and getting ... the facts of the case, then that can help lead to prosecution, and that can help lead to the offender having to pay for what they did," Deugan said.
The Gem County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement, "This collaboration will ensure that victims have access to comprehensive care, including medical examinations, counseling, and support."
Middleton Police Chief Jeff Smith told KTVB over email, "Victims of domestic violence and child abuse are among our most vulnerable victims and individuals we simply cannot afford to turn our back on."
The expansion is funded through grants and the nonprofit's general fund. Advocates are going through training right now and will officially start in November.
As part of the expansion efforts, Deugan said the Caldwell Police Department will continue its work with the nonprofit. However, focusing more on rural areas of its jurisdiction.
"Domestic violence is something that cannot be conquered without teamwork and support from each other," Chief Rex Ingram said. "This initiative reinforces the idea that we are stronger together."