Definitions

Domestic Violence is a pattern of coercive behaviors that involves physical abuse or the threat of physical abuse.  It may also include repeated psychological abuse, sexual assault, progressive social isolation, deprivation, intimidation, or economic coercion.

Sexual Assault is any unwanted sexual contact or attention achieved by force, threats, bribes, manipulation, pressure, tricks, or violence.  It may be physical or non-physical and includes rape, attempted rape, incest and child molestation, and sexual harassment.  Sexual assault is a crime of violence, anger, power and control where sex is used as a weapon against the victim.






Polson Water Daze was on August 2nd, and SAFE Harbor sponsored the first annual boat race.  Kayaks and Canoes raced for three miles on Flathead Lake and fun was had by all.  We had ten boats race this year and we hope to expand this race next year.





SAFE Harbor held its fourth annual auction on October 11, 2008.  The event was a great success, and raised $44,000 for women and children who have been victims of domestic violence.  This money will help to bridge the gap between grants, and enables SAFE Harbor to continue providing 19,000 services to 500 women and children of Lake County as it did last year.   The auction was truly a community event, and has brought in over 50 new supporters thus far.  Items and artwork were donated from businesses and artists throughout Lake County.  We would like to thank our sponsors, without whom this event would not have been possible. Hero Sponsor ($5,000):  Ronan Telephone Company.  Protector Sponsor ($3,000):  S&K Electronics.  Guardian Sponsors ($1,000):  Harvest Foods, High Stakes Foundation, Kwa Taq Nuq Resort and Casino, S&K Technologies, St Luke Community Healthcare, Wal-Mart. 

Defender Sponsors ($500):  Lake County Bank, Salish Kootenai College, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Ronan Dodge, Community Bank, Thrivent.  Advocate Sponsors ($250):  First Interstate Bank, Glacier Bank, Jore Inc., Valley Bank.  SAFE Harbor would like to thank everyone in the Lake County community for your tremendous support!





The summer was filled with fun events throughout the community and SAFE Harbor was able to sell airbrush tattoos at many of them.  In addition to educating the community about our presence and raising money for emergency medical services for children, we were able to give small gifts to the kids and brighten many people’s day with the fun of a temporary tattoo.  SAFE Harbor will continue its Hands are Not for Hitting campaign throughout the year by donating goods to organizations throughout the community.  Most importantly, SAFE Harbor is able to make our presence known and get the message of non violence out to countless numbers of people.






This year, SAFE Harbor will be dedicating a great deal of effort to our children’s programming.  Children who are exposed to domestic violence suffer from a variety of behavioral and emotional problems.  Boys who grow up in abusive homes are more likely to become abusers themselves, which causes the cycle of violence to continue.  In addition to our Hands are Not for Hitting program, SAFE Harbor will be participating in the FAST (Families and Schools Together) Program with the help of the Ronan school district.  SAFE Harbor’s VISTA volunteer will also be dedicating her efforts to improving SAFE Harbor’s services to children.




SAFE Harbor would like to thank Curt Rosman for his efforts as a board member.  Curt was extremely helpful in the days leading up to the auction and assisted in the acquisition of Thrivent support.  The SAFE Harbor board will miss you Curt!  Thank you for all of your support.




If you would like to receive this free newsletter electronically, please send your email address to safe@ronan.net, or call Lindsay at (406) 676-0800.