South Dakota shelters turning people away, study finds

By The Associated Press | Monday, June 09, 2008

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A one-day survey of 19 domestic-abuse centers in South Dakota has shown that 66 people were turned away on that day for shelter or other services.

Victim advocates say services are being hampered by a reduction in federal funding and staffing shortages, and those in rural settings are particularly vulnerable.

The Winner Resource Center has cut back on outreach programs, and the waiting list for counseling services has been stretched to as long as three weeks, said Shana Flakus, the center's executive director.

"In all honesty, we're just in an uncertain future at this point," Flakus said.

According to the study by the advocacy group the National Network To End Domestic Violence, South Dakota agencies "reported a critical shortage of funds and staff to assist victims in need of services, such as housing, childcare, mental health and substance abuse counseling, and legal representation."

Some people fault the survey for a limited number of responses, but they agree that funds for domestic-abuse services are short.

"I think it's true," said Krista Heeren-Graber, executive director of the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. "But I think we had a pretty poor number of responses. So our number wouldn't be the least bit accurate."

The federal Victims Of Crimes Act grant, one of several that support domestic abuse programs, has faced congressional cuts in recent years. Funding to South Dakota went from $1.45 million in 2006 to $1.04 million this year, according to the National Association of VOCA Administrators.

The Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization grant began in 2002 and is responsible for the creation of more than 30 rural satellite offices for domestic abuse programs and other outreach efforts, Heeren-Graber said. It probably will be significantly cut or not renewed at all, she said.

Flakus said she's scared at the prospect of losing that and other grants.

"We don't know as of yet what effect that's going to have on the state of South Dakota programs, but we know it's going to be significant," she said.