Every single person can make a difference in their own way. Please consider partnering with us as we seek to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. A continued thank you for those partners who have walked with us faithfully throughout the years and those who have joined us when able. It all is appreciated more than you know!
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Our Mission:
Our program supports and involves battered persons of all racial, social, religious and economic groups, ages, and lifestyles. We oppose the use of violence as a means of control over others and support equality in relationships and the concept of helping individuals assume power over their own lives. We strive toward becoming an independent, community-based group, which makes major policy and program decisions. It is the philosophy of the Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter (hereinafter "Shelter") and those associated with it to be open to understanding the nature of domestic violence and sexual assault in our society, to advocate for the use of tolerance, support, and reason in the face of conflict and against the use of violence, to empower those who have been victimized by violence and to promote a less violent society by modeling, educating, and promoting alternatives to violence. |
We are proud partners of Brookings Area United Way
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You are not alone. Every day people turn to 211 for information and support – whether financial, family, health, or disaster-related. The call or text is free and confidential.
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The Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter
About Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter: In 1974, local Brookings residents founded the first program of its kind in the state of South Dakota; the Brookings Women’s Center. The Women’s Center was a volunteer-based organization whose goal was to actively support the development of stable, productive, and satisfying lifestyles for women, men and children.
Locally, the center provided education on domestic abuse, support groups, and information and referrals to other helping agencies. On a broader scale, they assisted the state in developing legislation, protection orders and training on domestic violence. The Women’s Center was eventually able to rent two rooms at the New Life Center, most recently known as Teen Challenge. The rooms provided emergency shelter. Advocacy and counseling were also provided, but as awareness increased, so did the need for enhanced services and the space to provide them in.
In 1985, community advocates began planning for an actual shelter, which would provide a more ideal atmosphere and additional services for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. In 1987, after much work and planning, including the development of a volunteer Board of Directors, the Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter opened
Locally, the center provided education on domestic abuse, support groups, and information and referrals to other helping agencies. On a broader scale, they assisted the state in developing legislation, protection orders and training on domestic violence. The Women’s Center was eventually able to rent two rooms at the New Life Center, most recently known as Teen Challenge. The rooms provided emergency shelter. Advocacy and counseling were also provided, but as awareness increased, so did the need for enhanced services and the space to provide them in.
In 1985, community advocates began planning for an actual shelter, which would provide a more ideal atmosphere and additional services for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. In 1987, after much work and planning, including the development of a volunteer Board of Directors, the Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter opened
Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter is proud to be part of the Eastern Plains Sexual Assault Response Team!
April 25, 2019 ~ Knowing how busy the members of this team are, we are pleased to have a picture of a good portion of the Eastern Plains Sexual Assault Response Team (E.P.S.A.R.T.) showing their support for survivors of sexual assault by wearing teal during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (from left to right): State’s Attorney Dan Nelson, Christine Krogman, Family Service Specialist Supervisor & Miranda Ribstein, Family Service Specialist of Child Protective Services, Becky Eggebrecht, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Brookings Hospital, Adam Smith, Detective, Brookings Police Department, Colleen Thompson, Rural Advocate, Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter, Cora Olson, Victim’s Advocate, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Jessica Lankford, Title IX/EO Investigator, Cindy Schmit, Victim Witness Specialist South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Julie Yingling, Assistant Professor of Sociology (Criminal Justice), South Dakota State University, Jeff Kollars, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation agent. Thanks team for all of your hard work!
P.O. Box 36
Brookings, SD 57006 |
MAIN: (605) 692-7233
FAX: (605) 692-2104 |
domestic@brookingsshelter.com
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Photo used under Creative Commons from bambe1964
