Friendship Center Serves Broadwater County Domestic Violence Victims
Author: Kim Patterson, Friendship Center Development Director
Friendship Center Serves Broadwater County Domestic Violence Victims
Kim Patterson
Development Director
The Friendship Center served 722 known individuals in 2023. In the organization’s recent annual report to the community, they highlighted the breadth of their services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking (DVSA) in Broadwater, Jefferson, and Lewis and Clark counties.
The Friendship Center fills a unique role as the only agency serving the tri-county area with victim services for those impacted by domestic violence. Other than dialing 911, the Friendship Center is the only place a person can call when they are in an immediate crisis resulting from interpersonal violence. In 2023 the center received nearly 1,800 calls to their 24/7 crisis line. It provided 7,391 services including legal advocacy, in-hospital response for survivors of sexual assault, safety planning, emotional support, community referrals and more. They also provided 8,541 nights of shelter to 108 adults and 49 children.
After implementing a new client database and integrated helpline in early 2023, the staff has been able to capture accurate data confirming what they knew anecdotally: There is more demand for the Center’s services than ever before. With a growing population and greater awareness of these issues, they anticipate the demand to continue rising.
Founded in 1971, the Friendship Center is the community resource for addressing and preventing domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking through advocacy, education and outreach in the tri-county area. Contact the Friendship Center anytime at (406) 442-6800. Learn more at thefriendshipcenter.org.
