Montana

The mission of ASPEN – Abuse Support & Prevention Education Network is to provide support services to victims/survivors of domestic and sexual violence and empower them to create safe and healthy lives for themselves and their families. ASPEN is also committed to breaking the cycle of violence by providing educational and awareness activities in the community.

Service area: Park, Sweet Grass, Meagher Counties of Montana
Work with: Survivors of sexual violence, friends, and family.
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews; legal and medical advocacy; in-person counseling; group counseling/support groups; crisis intervention and counseling via hotline; information, referrals, and references.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above.
Services for loved ones include: Hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews; legal and medical advocacy; in-person counseling; crisis intervention and counseling via hotline; information, referrals, and references.
Fees: Free

The Custer Network Against Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault provides comprehensive services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking and their loved ones.

Service area: Custer, Carter, Fallon, Garfield, Powder River, and Rosebud Counties
Work with: Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking and their loved ones
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; civil-legal representation and court accompaniment; information; and referrals.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above, as well as individual counseling.
Services for loved ones include: Crisis intervention, counseling; information; and referrals.
Fees: Free

Empowering victims to live violence free.

Service area: Hill, Blaine, and Liberty Counties
Work with: Survivors of domestic and sexual abuse
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Mail correspondence; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews; legal and medical advocacy; in-person counseling; crisis intervention and counseling via hotline; information, referrals, and references.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above.
Services for loved ones include: All of the above.
Fees: Free

Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) serves individuals, families and communities impacted by physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and promotes healthy, equitable, violence-free relationships.

Service area: Carbon and Stillwater Counties
Work with: Victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking.
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Mail correspondence; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews; legal and medical advocacy; in-person counseling; information, referrals, and references.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above.
Services for loved ones include: All of the above, as well as crisis intervention and counseling via hotline.
Fees: Free
Additional information: All of our services are confidential and free of charge. We serve people without regard to age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or ability.

HAVEN began serving clients in 1979. Over more than three decades, HAVEN has worked to both provide safe intervention for survivors of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault, as well as to prevent future violence from occurring. It is thanks to our community’s generosity that we are able to provide empowering, supportive, life-saving programs.

Our Vision

We envision a community knowledgeable about domestic abuse, fully engaged and committed to the safety and well-being of its members.

Our Mission

HAVEN is committed to reducing the incidence and minimizing the impact of domestic abuse on families and communities. We provide emergency shelter, crisis intervention, on-going support, referrals, and education.

Service area: Gallatin County
Work with: Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, and their loved ones.
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Group counseling/support groups.
Services for survivors after release include: Accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews, in-person counseling, group counseling/support groups, crisis intervention and counseling via hotline, and information, referrals, and references.
Services for loved ones include: Crisis intervention and counseling via hotline, and information, referrals, and references.
Fees: Free

Missoula AIDS Council is the leading community-based organization addressing the challenges associated with HIV/AIDS in Western Montana. The mission of Missoula AIDS Council is to prevent the transmission of HIV while advocating for and supporting individuals currently living with HIV/AIDS.

Service area: Primarily Western Montana, but targeted outreach prevention is offered statewide
Work with: People who are HIV+ or at risk for HIV and anyone in need of HIV testing
Services for survivors during incarceration include: The Montana Targeted Prevention Program (MTAP), which provides HIV/AIDS and HCV information; free and anonymous HIV counseling and testing; confidential HCV testing; and free risk-reduction materials in Montana state prisons and jails.
Services for survivors after release include: Anonymous HIV testing and a range of services for people who are HIV+ including case management; housing assistance for those who qualify; financial assistance with utilities and other expenses; the Buddy Program, which links community volunteers to people living with HIV/AIDS in need of support in Western Montana; a non-food pantry with cleaning supplies and personal care items; social activities; and referrals for counseling and other needed services.
Services for loved ones include: Anonymous HIV testing and counseling; information; and referrals.
Fees: Free

The Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCADSV) is a statewide coalition of individuals and organizations working together to end domestic and sexual violence through advocacy, public education, public policy, and program development.

Service area: Montana
Work with: Survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones, sexual assault programs, and allied professional groups
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Information and referrals to the nearest rape crisis center via phone and by mail and a directory of affiliated rape crisis centers on the MCADSV website.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above.
Services for loved ones include: All of the above.
Fees: Free
Additional Information: Other MCADSV services include: membership services and outreach, prevention education, public policy advocacy, and training.

SAFE’s mission is to address the fundamental need in our community to decrease domestic and sexual violence and its impact in Ravalli County, Montana through the provision of direct services to survivors and their children and by working to minimize those conditions that support violence against women.

In 1987, the members of the Hamilton Soroptimists, a women’s service club, identified a need for our community to provide safe havens for women and children fleeing violent homes. Members of the Soroptimists educated themselves about the dynamics and effects of domestic violence and developed a network of safe homes and an emergency hotline. This network, originally named Family Violence Services, has grown into an organization, SAFE, that offers a variety of programs and activities designed to create a violence-free community.

Service area: Ravalli County
Work with: Survivors of domestic and sexual violence
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Mail correspondence; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews; legal and medical advocacy; in-person counseling; group counseling/support groups; crisis intervention and counseling via hotline; information, referrals, and references.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above.
Services for loved ones include: In-person counseling; group counseling/support groups; crisis intervention and counseling via hotline; information, referrals, and references.
Fees: Free

Safe Passage is a non-profit organization that provides help for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We support the principle that all individuals have a right to a life free of abuse. We seek to break the cycle of violence through increasing public awareness of the issues of domestic and sexual violence, acting as advocates for victims, coordinating existing resources and providing a safe environment for victims.

Service area: Audrain, Boone, Chariton, Howard, Linn, Macon, Monroe, Randolph and Shelby Counties
Work with: Survivors of domestic & sexual abuse and educate community/provide awareness on abuse
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Mail correspondence; accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; legal and medical advocacy; in-person counseling; crisis intervention and counseling via hotline; information, referrals, and references.
Services for survivors after release include: Crisis intervention and counseling via hotline; information, referrals, and references; group counseling/support groups; in-person counseling; legal and medical advocacy; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews.
Services for loved ones include: Information, referrals, and references; crisis intervention and counseling via hotline; group counseling/support groups; in-person counseling.
Fees: Free
Additional Information: All services provided in English.

Safe Space, Inc., originally known as the Butte Christian Center, provides emergency and supportive services to all victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault with the goal of breaking inter-generational cycle of violence.

Service area: Deer Lodge, Granite, Powell, and Silver-Bow Counties and part of Jefferson and Madison Counties
Work with: All survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their loved ones
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Mail correspondence; crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; information, references, and referrals.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above, as well as short-term emergency shelter; emergency transportation, food, gas vouchers, and clothing for low-income individuals; six free counseling sessions with a licensed counselor for survivors of sexual assault; a weekly support group for female survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children; emergency cell phone program; emergency care for pets; financial assistance; information; and referrals.
Services for loved ones include: Crisis intervention via hotline; mail correspondence; accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews; group counseling/support groups; information, references, and referrals.
Fees: Free

Victim-Witness aims to help crime victims, witnesses, and their families in Cascade County. We provide crisis response, support and guidance through the Criminal Justice system, track and keep victims updated on court case information, and advocate for crime victims.

Service area: Cascade County
Work with: Victims/survivors of all crimes
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Mail correspondence; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews; crisis intervention and counseling via hotline; information, referrals, and references.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above.
Services for loved ones include: All of the above.
Fees: Free

Violence Free Crisis Line (VFCL) is a non-profit organization that has been providing services to survivors of sexual and domestic violence since 1976.

Service area: Flathead County
Work with: Survivors of violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, child sexual abuse, incest, assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and stalking and their loved ones
Services for survivors during incarceration: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline, by mail, and by email; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; legal advocacy and court accompaniment for sexual assault cases; information and referrals.
Services for survivors after release: All of the above, as well as a support group for adult female survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Services for loved ones: Crisis intervention; information; and referrals.
Fees: Free

Voices of Hope offers comprehensive services for community members, including a Crisis Line and Community Resource Directory (2-1-1), as well as a suicide prevention and sexual assault advocacy program.

Service area: In-person services are offered in Cascade County, but the Crisis Line and Community Resource Directory provides assistance to 43 counties throughout Montana
Work with: Anyone in crisis or in need of referrals, including people who are dealing with suicide, domestic violence, sexual assault, eating disorders, relationship problems, and mental health issues
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour Crisis Line and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams in Cascade County; legal advocacy and court accompaniment in Cascade County; in-person crisis counseling, by arrangement; information; and referrals.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above, as well as referrals for counseling and other needed services.
Services for loved ones include: All of the above.
Fees: Free

The Yellowstone AIDS Project (YAP) is a not-for-profit organization committed to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness and providing prevention and client services in Montana.

Service area: Eastern Montana
Work with: Anyone with HIV/AIDS and those affected by the disease
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Information and referrals by phone and by mail, as well as weekly prevention education programs at Alternatives for women who participate in the Passages pre-release program and male residents of Alpha House. YAP also offers prevention education and HIV testing at Youth Services, a juvenile detention facility in Billings.
Services for survivors after release include: Confidential and anonymous HIV testing and counseling and a range of services for people living with HIV, including; case management; emotional support, including individual and group counseling and support groups; financial and housing assistance for low income clients; emergency assistance with needs such as utility bills, medical co-pays, pet care costs, etc.; access to a pet care product pantry for companion animals and financial assistance for needs such as vaccinations, spay and neuter procedures, and at times, adoption fees; social groups; lending library; educational events; workshops; retreats; holiday food baskets and food pantry; information; and referrals.
Services for loved ones include: Confidential and anonymous HIV testing and counseling; social events; support; information; and referrals.
Fees: Free

Mission:

YWCA Billings is dedicated to saving and changing lives. We improve the lives of women and children through programs that create significant, positive impact for our community and support YWCA USA’s mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

Vision:

To reach beyond the short-term safe shelter provided by YWCA’s Gateway House by offering affordable transitional housing that incorporates employment counseling, job training, child care, and other services so we can deliver meaningful support over a longer period for women and families striving to gain solid footing and break the cycles of violence and poverty.

Service area: Yellowstone, Carbon, Stillwater, Big Horn, Rosebud and Musselshell Counties
Work with: Survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their loved ones
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Mail correspondence; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; in-person counseling; crisis intervention and counseling via hotline; information, referrals, and references
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above, as well as accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews and legal and medical advocacy.
Services for loved ones include: All of the above.
Fees: Free
Additional information: Can communicate in other languages through use of a language line

Eliminating racism, empowering women.

Service area: Missoula, Mineral, Granite, Southern Lake, and parts of Ravalli Counties
Work with: Survivors of sexual and domestic abuse and their loved ones.
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Mail correspondence, hospital accompaniment during forensic exams, accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews, legal and medical advocacy, in-person counseling, crisis intervention and counseling via hotline, and information, referrals, and references.
Services for survivors after release include: Hospital accompaniment during forensic exams, accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews, legal and medical advocacy, in-person counseling, crisis intervention and counseling via hotline, and information, referrals, and references.
Services for loved ones include: Mail correspondence, crisis intervention and counseling via hotline, and information, referrals, and references.
Fees: Free

If you are sexually assaulted at Montana State Prison or Crossroads Correctional Center you can file an emergency grievance. You can obtain an Inmate/Offender Grievance Form from your Unit Manager. You do not have to first file an information grievance. Alternatively, you can verbally report the incident to a staff member or write to the PREA Unit at the address above.

The ACLU of Montana works to advance, preserve, and defend civil liberties and civil rights in Montana. The ACLU also works to extend rights to segments of the population that have traditionally been denied their rights, including people of color; women; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people; prisoners; and people with disabilities. The Legal Program handles only cases that involve infringements upon constitutional rights and civil liberties. The ACLU of Montana is not a general legal aid organization and does not handle disputes between private individuals or entities.

The Montana Prison Project (MPP) monitors conditions of confinement in Montana’s jails, which are run by the individual counties, and the prisons, which are run by the Montana Department of Corrections. Every month, MPP receives 30–50 complaints from inmates throughout the State and in all levels of confinement.

MPP advocates for constitutional jail and prison conditions in a variety of ways. A comprehensive database allows MPP to compile and organize the number of complaints that it receives and assists in tracking trends and problems on either a substantive or facility level. With this information, MPP can compare conditions of the various facilities and advocate for uniform jail and prison standards throughout the state. MPP also investigates complaints by interviewing inmates, family members, and witnesses; reviewing medical records; and discussing concerns with jail and prison staff. Demand letters are sent, when necessary, to advocate a change in position or review of a situation. Also, when necessary, MPP cooperates with attorneys throughout the State to bring litigation to assure that constitutional standards are being met in Montana’s jails and prisons.

A jail or prison is required to protect an individual from harm while incarcerated. MPP is currently investigating an allegedly racially-based beating at the Missoula County Detention Center and alleged rapes at Montana State Prison and Dawson County Detention Facility. If you have been sexually abused behind bars, you can file a claim in any of the following ways: by filling out the online intake form via the Montana ACLU website (link above); by filling-out and mailing in the printable complaint form (link above); by calling the Intake Complaint Line and leaving a message with your name and daytime phone number; and by writing to the address above. Please be sure to include any grievances you have filed regarding the sexual assault and any responses you have received.

Legal Voice, formerly the Northwest Women’s Law Center, has been the vanguard organization bringing groundbreaking litigation and fighting for landmark legislation to ensure justice for women in the Pacific Northwest for more than 30 years. The Legal Voice Litigation Program brings cases that change law throughout several states in the Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. Legal Voice receives a large number of requests for assistance and is able to provide legal representation or advocacy only for a limited number of clients whose cases have the potential for broader impact. Survivors of sexual abuse behind bars can contact Legal Voice confidentially by phone or by mail by sending a letter marked “legal mail” to the address above.

The Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) is a free, non-profit, public service of the State Bar of Montana. If you need legal help, you’ll be referred to an appropriate Montana attorney for your issues. To participate in the Lawyer Referral Service, the attorneys must be active members of the State Bar of Montana, in good standing, and carry liability insurance. The Lawyer Referral Service attorneys agree to charge referred clients a reasonable fee for their service. The Lawyer Referral Service does not provide referrals to pro bono or low income attorneys. The State Bar also offers a directory of attorneys on its website and free brochures on a variety of topics. All calls are confidential.