The number of service requests at Haven increased

Bozeman, Montana – The number of requests for assistance at Haven, a local charity that assists victims of domestic abuse in the Gallatin Valley, has increased significantly between 2022 and 2023.

The precise causes of this increase are hard to pin down, but two primary aspects are identified, according to Haven executive director Erica Coyle.

According to her, the Gallatin Valley has had significant expansion recently, which indicates that more people are in need of services.

With the opening of their Barnard Center in May, which has the capacity to house even more people, Haven has also recently increased its level of public visibility.

“So,we’re now a space where survivors, if they’re experiencing abuse, they can show up to our front door and work with advocates. That didn’t used to be the case. So now that we’re more visible in the community, we also believe that that’s driving more increases,” Coyle said.

For victims of domestic abuse, Haven offers a variety of services such as housing, a round-the-clock hotline, legal assistance, counseling, and support groups.

According to her, this year has witnessed a 38% increase in the number of persons looking for refuge and a 22% increase in the demand for support and counseling services.

Additionally, they have seen close to 2,000 contacts via the text or phone 24-hour crisis line.

“And so, we know that as the word gets out about Haven, our community is talking about domestic violence much more than it did even ten years ago. We believe that that also is encouraging survivors that this is a safe place for them,” Coyle said.

Anybody can fall prey to domestic abuse. For this reason, since the Barnard Center opened, Haven has been able to accommodate male survivors as well.

One in three women and one in four men in Montana have suffered intimate partner violence, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. That’s where folks can get assistance from shelters like Haven.

If you or someone you know has experienced domestic violence, there are numerous local resources:

Haven’s 24-hour support line – 406-586-4111
Help Center Sexual Assault Counseling Center 24-hour hotline – 406-586-3333
Gallatin County Victim Services – 406-582-2075
Montana State University VOICE Center – 406-994-7069
National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233