Letter From the Chair

PAVSA has been in the “business” of serving victims of sexual violence for the past 32 years! One of the most important services provided by PAVSA is advocacy for survivors of sexual assault. PAVSA is there to assist and support people who have been sexually assaulted through every step of the process from the trauma of the examination in the emergency room to the ordeal of a courtroom hearing. This agency works to ensure that each individual is treated with respect while receiving comprehensive and compassionate services. In addition to working with individuals, PAVSA is educating people in the community to be more aware of the problem of sexual assault and enlisting their help to take action to stop it. PAVSA is also working to change systems that serve survivors to ensure they are always treated with dignity and in a timely manner.

During 2006, PAVSA was able to expand services to victims, their families and friends. Foundation funding received this year will help PAVSA to develop some significant programs over the next three years. For example, PAVSA is working with area hospitals to develop and implement a community Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. This funding also allows PAVSA to offer professional counseling and more systems advocacy. The ability to access counseling services almost immediately following an assault makes a big difference in a survivor’s healing process. PAVSA staff and volunteer advocates have a continual and intimate relationship with survivors of sexual violence and often assist them from “start to finish.”

PAVSA cannot accomplish its mission of providing these critical services to survivors and working to eliminate sexual assault in our community alone. Collaboration with law enforcement, county prosecutors and medical providers is essential to providing the highest quality of services to survivors. We are grateful to the members of our multi-disciplinary teams for their commitment to victims. Sexual violence is a community problem and it demands a community solution. We believe that everyone can do something to address this issue, whether through becoming a volunteer advocate, PAVSA board member, or donating to the cause.

We look forward to the next year and to working with our community to strengthen services to survivors of sexual violence and to help them heal and rebuild their lives. To our donors, our wonderful volunteer advocates and to community members who support survivors of sexual violence, we offer our heartfelt gratitude. As you review this report, please know that we could not do it without you.

Thank you,
Lynn Bye, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Board Chair

Statistics

In fiscal year 2006, PAVSA served 645 victims of sexual violence.

165 high risk adolescents were reached through groups and individual counseling,

PAVSA provided more than 3,000 contacts of advocacy and crisis counseling for victims of sexual violence during FY 2006.

1,872 professionals were trained on sexual victimization issues.  These included law enforcement, medical personnel, attorneys, mental health professionals, educators, human service professionals and other victims’ service providers.

PAVSA staff provided community education on sexual violence to more than 7,000 individuals including school programs, which reach pre-school through post-secondary students.

Trained sexual assault advocates donated 11,463 hours of volunteer service for victims of sexual assault including staffing of PAVSA’s 24-hour crisis line.

Volunteer Program

The Volunteer Advocate Program ensures that victims of sexual violence receive competent, compassionate support and advocacy when calling the 24-hour crisis line or seeking medical care at local hospital emergency departments. Victim Advocacy is the primary function of staff and volunteers at PAVSA, but advocacy extends beyond the hospital room and into the community. The Volunteer Program recruits and provides training to two cohorts of volunteer sexual assault advocates annually. The training incorporates local programs and community experts to facilitate understanding of systems, protocols and resources. The Volunteer Coordinator reviews hospital calls to evaluate systems response to victims. The Volunteer Program also selects and oversees interns, develops short term volunteer projects for college students and participates in community efforts to address violence, including Take Back the Night, a community-wide sexual assault awareness event that draws 700-800 community members each year.

Multi-Disciplinary

We can’t do it alone !! PAVSA may be the only sexual assault agency in Southern St. Louis County, but we know it takes more than any one provider to ensure that sexual assault victims are getting the services they deserve during a critical time in their lives. It takes committed community partners to build an effective response to sexual violence. We know it is essential that victims receive caring, compassionate and professional treatment in hospital emergency departments. We depend on law enforcement to interview survivors of sexual assault in a sensitive manner and if a case goes to trial we expect that county prosecutors will keep survivors informed throughout what can be a lengthy and difficult process. In the past year, PAVSA has worked to strengthen community collaborations with these systems and with other agencies that serve victims of violence. Collaboration makes all members of a multi-disciplinary team stronger and ensures that the work we do remains victim-focused. Thank you to our partners in this effort.

We thank the following members who gave their time on PAVSA's committees

Community Organizations
Rebecca St. George - Mending the Sacred Hoop
Renee Vandemore - DRCC
Robyn Weaver - Glen Avon Presbyterian
Shari Flesness – CHUM, Nurse
Chris Henley - Full Circle
Donna Dunn - Sexual Violence Justice Institute
Mike Schiltz - Bethel
Susana Pelayo-Woodward - UMD WRAC
Cathryn Curley - Safe Haven Shelter
Patty Miller - First Witness
Dresden Jones - Sexual Violence Justice Institute
Michelle Hall - Sexual Violence Justice Institute

St. Louis County Attorney’s Office
John DeSanto - St. Louis County Attorney’s Office
Ty Schroyer - St. Louis County Attorney’s Office
Mark Rubin - St. Louis County Attorney’s Office

St. Louis County Social Services
Shelly Freeman - Initial Intervention Unit
St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office
Marlene Hall - St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office
Lt. Joe Skofich - St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office

St. Mary’s Duluth Clinic
Elizabeth Bilden - SMDC
Susan Jamros - SMDC
JoAnne Axtell - SMDC
Linda Way - SMDC

St. Luke’s Hospital
Sheri Bergeron - St. Luke’s Hospital
Marlys Tanner - St. Luke’s Hospital
Jo Ann Hoag - St. Luke’s Hospital
Karen Thorp-Talbot - St. Luke’s Hospital

Duluth Police Department
Bob Shene - Duluth Police Department
Leigh Wright - Duluth Police Department

We thank our following 2006 donors*

Abby Travel Agency - Advanstar - Amazing Grace- David Angell- Tom and Betty Arbour- ARCO Coffee Co.- Earl Austin- Mary Austin- B105- Carol Bacig- Mr. Lloyd and Mrs. Jan Backus- Joel and Marilyn Bamford- Bead Harbor-Rhonda Beek- Pamela Bennett- Pam Benson- Scott Bergman- James L. Berg- Rita Bergstedt- Craig & Nadine Blacklock- Troy Bloom- Linda Blustin- David Bogen- Kathy Bogen- Sue Boorsma- Kim Borst- Marcia Bowker- Mary Bowker- Michelle Bowker- B.J. Brody- Elisabeth Brown- M’lou Brubaker- Dr. Douglas Bye- CBS3- Cellular One- Chester Creek Café at Sara’s Table- Clear Channel- Coldwell Banker East West Reality London Road- Coney Island- Anita & Colie Campbell- Daniel B. Campbell, M.D.- Jane Carnes- Robert Carter- James and Phyllis Childs- Ann Forrest Clark- Claudia Clark Myers- Barb Collette- Maria E. Combs- Mary Joan Elizabeth Connolly- Anna Cook- Elsie Cook- Debbie Cooter- Joel and Deb Cooper- Eddie J. Crawford-Michelle Crump-Cathryn Curley-D.A.D.S. Electronics-Domino’s Pizza-Diane Daniels-Louise Daley-Cheryl Dannenbring-Christopher & Carmel DeMaioribus-Dorothea Diver-Ms. Carolyn Dorfman-Sherry L. Doskey-Rosemary Doyle-Eagles Nest Massage-Eikill & Schilling Ltd.-Elysium Salon & Day Spa-Erbert & Gerbert’s-The Exchange-Steve Eckels-Lee Englund-Joe Everett-Andrew R. Fena-Brian Ferguson-Thomas Ferrian-Jeff Flemming-Mary Ellen Forrest-Tammy Francois-Ron and Cherie Franzen-Jody Freij-Tonder-Grandma’s Restaurant & Co.-Great Harvest-Green Mill-Donna Gehl Miller-David Gellatly-Adu Gindy-Casey Goldman-Suzanne Griffith-Jim Grittner-Rosemary Guttormsson-Haldorson & Pincombe Investment Advisors Inc.-Hampton Inn-Healing Ways Wellness Studio-Holiday Hotel & Suites Downtown-Hope United Methodist Church-Pat Hagen-Erik Hahn-Louis Hancock-Dick Haney-Sue Hanson-Anne Harmer-Susan L. Harney-Candice Harshner-Beckett Berning Harrison-Angie Hawthorn-Karen Heikel-Margie Helstrom-Stephanie Jean Hemphill-Janeane Hollenkamp-Brook Holmberg-Liz Holt-Catherine Huber-Mona M. & Craig S. Hunter-Johnson’s Bakery-Dr. Constance Jacoby-John Jelliff-Ann Jenkins-Louis Jenkins-Blanche and Richard Jonland-Anita Johnson-Terry Johnson-Lindsey Johnson-Pat Joyelle-Lyn Jutila-KOOL 101.7-Meridel L. Kahl-Linda Kalweit-Diane Kessler-Amy A. King-Nicholas Kirchner-Janell E. & Gary G. Kohls-Jackie Kotlarek-Karin Kraemer-Kathi Kusch Marshall-Lakeview Coffee Emporium-Lamar-Lizzards-Catharine J. Larsen, M.A.-Nancy Latour Edmondson-Beth LaVigne-Wade & Laurie Lawrence-Elden Lindamood-Tracy and Joe Litman-Maurices-Midnight Sun Adventure Co.-Mielke Electric-MIX 108-Sandy Marden Loken-Doug Marshak-Bev Martin-Mary Martin-Priscilla Manisto-Jake Manders-Les Claudine Mattison-Patricia M. Mayer-Carleen Maynard-Lisa Mesedahl-Pat and Mark Michals-Priscilla B. Moen-Peg Mold-Ken Moran-Tom Myers-National Bank of Commerce-News6-Donna Nichols-On-Site Shading Systems, Inc.-Laurie Olson Holman-Paper Hog-Pizza Hut-Proctor Quilt Club-Gail Paull-Sue Pavlatos-Pam Peterson-Linda Pichetti-Judith Poe-Bob Pokorney-Linda Powless-Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon-Quality Touch-Cheryl Quilling-RBC Dain Rauscher-Arna Rennan-Kathy Richlen-Tilden-Bridget Riversmith-Sharon Rogers-Wendy Rouse-Jenni Rude-Johnson-Matthew J. Ruggle-St. Lukes Hospital-Super 8-Superior Balance-Slumberland Furniture-The Sterling Waters Band-Andriana Sacchini-Joan Schapp-Hunn-Barbara Schleppenback-Kathi Schmidt-Gail and Patrick Schoenfelder-Deb Scott-Tara Scribbins-Tim Sheriff-Doreen Shoberg-Mary Simon-Elizabeth Simonson-Janet Skadsberg-Sue Sojourner-Jay Steinke-Paul Steklenski-Don Streufert-Mary Streufert-3rd Street Bakery-Taj India-Target-Tires Plus-Lyle Takkunen-Dr. John V. Thomas-Lori Thompson-Patrick C. & Carol E. Thompson-Michael Tonder-Sister Mary Josephine Torborg-Sharon L. Torrison-Judith Ann Trolander-Marilyn Tygart-UMD Athletics-Unicornucopia-Paul Van Ryzin-Mary Vanderwerp-Ashley Vetrone-Waters of Superior-Wells Fargo-Mary Warnke-Trina Waters-Tina Welsh-DeeDee Widdes-Elizabeth Wilhelmson-Amy Wilson-Marty Witrak-Gundrun and Geof Witrak-Ms. Joan Witzman-Ben and Barry Wolfe-ZMC Hotels-Grace Zemlin-Kori Zeng-Helenus-Janet Eleanor Zug-Sivertson’s Gallery

*If this list has neglected to acknowledge a donor,

please contact our office immediately to correct the mistake.
We apologize for any errors.

Entire Program Funding Sources

2% Contributions

1% Fee for Service

1% Income

53% Foundation/Grants

14% State OJP/VOCA

7% St. Louis County

6% United Way

7% SMART Grant

9% Fundraisers

Grant Foundation Funding

Bush Foundation

Ordean Foundation

Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation

Mardag Foundation

Northland Foundation

Junior League of Duluth

Duluth Rotary Club #25

United Way of Greater Duluth

St. Mary’s Hospital Corporate Contributions

Government/Public Funding

Minnesota Department of Public Safety

Office of Justice Program/Crime Victim Services

St. Louis County Board of Commissioners

St. Louis County Attorney’s Office

Adolescent Program
PAVSA’s adolescent program offers psycho-educational support groups to many at-risk teenagers. We offer support groups to many young people who have witnessed and/or experienced sexual violence in their lives. In the past year, we served approximately 200 young people through these groups. PAVSA facilitates support groups for both adolescent boys and girls. We have provided groups on-site at a number of locations including Arrowhead Juvenile Corrections Center, Life House, Woodland Hills, Proctor House and Harbor House. We have also worked with local schools to provide prevention education. In addition to support groups, PAVSA has assisted many young people through individual counseling and systems advocacy. PAVSA also offers prevention education to local high schools and provides training on sexual assault to school staff on an annual basis.

Systems Advocacy Program
This program officially began in April 2006 through a grant from the Bush Foundation. The goal of this program is to address victim service issues in the legal and medical systems through direct client advocacy, policy and protocol initiatives, training for advocates and other professionals, and monitoring and evaluation measures. From the beginning, PAVSA has provided advocacy and support for victims of sexual assault throughout the medical and legal processes of reporting a sexual assault. Additionally, PAVSA has initiated and been involved in many multi-disciplinary efforts to develop more victim centered, effective methods and protocols for responding to reports of sexual assault. Designating a specific program and staff member with systems advocacy allows PAVSA to accomplish many things with its clients. Among the outcomes are a greater consistency, a focus with medical and legal systems, and a development of best practices for clients.

Professional Counseling
PAVSA is fortunate to offer professional counseling specifically for victims of sexual assault who do not have access to traditional mental health clinics due to availability or finances. Individual counseling can be either short-term or long-term, depending on the needs of each client. In addition, the crisis counselor/therapist is responsible for planning, recruiting and conducting the adult women’s survivors support groups. She also participates in professional trainings and community education. PAVSA’s licensed counselor has provided over $60,000 worth of free counseling services (individual and support groups) to victims of sexual violence.

SMART
As another year of collaboration has come to completion, many notable accomplishments have occurred. To name a few: members of the SMART participated on a multi-disciplinary team to plan the developing Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. The SMART Collaboration negotiated with the County Social Services, the County Attorney’s Office and the area hospitals to develop an approved billing and payment method of forensic examinations sought by victims of sexual assault. The team is currently working to create a group of local clergy that will establish protocol/guidelines for churches’ response to victims, as well as perpetrators, of sexual assault.

Safe and Strong Child Program
The Safe and Strong Child Program was presented to pre-school and elementary school classrooms reaching more than 2,000 children with sexual abuse prevention education. This program has been in the Duluth schools for over twenty years. This fall, due to funding issues, PAVSA decided to take a year off from the Safe and Strong Child Program to evaluate the program and strategize how to continue providing this education for the community. Safe and Strong Child presentations have continued for Pre-school and Head Start programs. In addition to the school program, PAVSA offered Safe and Strong Child Prevention Groups for children at Safe Haven Shelter in collaboration with shelter staff. These groups assisted children in building life skills including self-esteem, conflict resolution and developing safety strategies. PAVSA also offered prevention education to parents and teachers.