Domestic & Interpersonal Violence

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Someplace Safe helps with Domestic and personal violence

Domestic or intimate partner violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in a relationship that is used by one partner or individual to gain or maintain power and control over another person. Domestic/intimate partner violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.

If you or someone you love are experiencing domestic or interpersonal violence, please call our 24 Hour Crisis Line – 800-974-3359

Our emergency crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The line is staffed by individuals trained to listen, offer information, and make referrals to cooperating emergency agencies if necessary.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

53% of women experiencing homelessness in Minnesota in 2018 had stayed in a relationship, because they did not have any alternative housing available.

~ Pittman, B., Nelson-Dusek, S., Gerrard, M. D., & Shelton, E. (2020). Homelessness in Minnesota: Detailed findings from the 2019 Minnesota homeless study.

1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the United States have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. ~ Black, M.C., Basile, K.C., Breiding, M.J., Smith, S.G., Walters, M.L., Merrick, M.T., Chen, J., & Stevens, M. (2011). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2010 summary report.

Prevalence of Domestic and Interpersonal Violence

Domestic or intimate partner violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. Domestic or intimate partner violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Domestic violence can occur in all types of relationships, including those in which intimate partners are married, living together, or dating.

Domestic or intimate partner violence not only affects those who are abused, but also has a substantial effect on family members, friends, coworkers, witnesses and the community at large. Children, who grow up witnessing domestic or intimate partner violence, are among those seriously affected by this crime. Frequent exposure to violence in the home not only predisposes children to numerous social and physical problems. This also teaches them that violence is a normal way of life, potentially, increasing their risk of becoming society’s next generation of survivors and abusers.

33.9% of Minnesota women and 25.1% of Minnesota men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner rape and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes.

~ National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2019)

In Minnesota, 33.9 percent of women and 25.1 percent of men experience intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence or stalking in their lifetime, according to NCADV. On a typical day, local domestic violence hotlines receive approximately 19,159 calls, approximately 13 calls every minute.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison – Rights and Resources for Victims of Domestic Abuse web page

Recognizing Warning Signs of Domestic and Interpersonal Violence

While each situation is unique, there are some common indicators that may suggest someone is in an abusive relationship:

Verbal abuse
Name calling or insults
Feeling sad or scared when spending time with your partner
Discouraging you from seeing friends, family members
Discouraging or preventing medical or dental care
Preventing you from working or school
Forcing you to work
Controlling your finances
Possessiveness and accusations of cheating
Controlling what you can do
Blaming you for their behavior or justifying their behavior.
Monitoring what you are doing:
- Checks your phone, text, emails, or social media without your permission
- Checks computer/tablet history
- Monitors your location on phone or other tracking devices
- Demands immediate replies to messages or scheduled check-in times
Coerces you to have sex or engage in sexual acts when you don’t want to
Controls or denies your access to birth control or other medications
Decides what you wear, eat, who your friends are or who you can see
Humiliates you on purpose
Damages or ruins your belongings
Physically hurts or threatens to hurt you, your child(ren), pets, family, or friends.
Threatens to harm or kill themselves to control you
Threatens you, your child(ren), pets, family, or friends with a weapon
Threatens to call the police, attorney, family, or friends to tell them something negative about you

It is important to approach these situations with sensitivity and without judgment. If you suspect someone may be in an abusive relationship, it is crucial to offer support, listen non-judgmentally, and encourage them to seek help from professional resources such as helplines, support groups, or local authorities trained in handling domestic violence situations.

The Domestic Violence program of Someplace Safe is operated by staff and volunteers who have been trained to help victims and survivors cope with a wide range of needs and responses to domestic violence. All advocacy services provided by Someplace Safe are completely free and confidential.

Seek Help

Due to the diverse nature of these crimes, trauma-informed advocacy services will be provided based on the self-defined needs of the survivor(s). Advocacy services are available to any survivor of a crime, their family, and support system regardless of race, color, economic status, religion, familial status, parenthood, national origin, place of residence, political affiliation, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, social status, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical ability.

The Advocacy program of Someplace Safe is operated by staff and/or volunteers who have been trained to help victims and survivors of crime cope with a wide range of needs and responses to victimization. All advocacy services provided by Someplace Safe are completely free and confidential.

Someplace Safe provides services based on clients’ self-defined goals and gauges success based on clients successfully meeting those goals.

Someplace Safe Crisis Line: 1-800-974-3359
Email: info@someplacesafe.info

Services Available to Victims and Survivors of Crime

The Crime Victim Advocacy program of Someplace Safe is provided by staff trained to assist survivors of crime, their families and support systems. Advocates are trained staff and volunteers who offer help to survivors, families, and friends who have been affected by crime or violence.

Advocacy services are available to any survivor of a crime, regardless of race, color, economic status, religion, familial status, parenthood, national origin, place of residence, political affiliation, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, social status, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical ability. Accessible services are available. Accessibility includes interpreters (foreign language and DHH), live chat, and text.

*Staff are mandated by law to report information regarding child abuse or certain situations involving vulnerable adults.

Advocacy services are free and confidential and include:

24-Hour Crisis Line
Someplace Safe operates an emergency crisis line, answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The line is staffed by individuals trained to listen, offer information, and make referrals to emergency agencies if necessary.

Civil/Legal Assistance
Staff may help guide survivors by providing options within the legal and court system. This may include assistance in filing protective orders and/ or accompaniment to court hearings.

Assistance through the Criminal Court Process
Staff can assist with answering questions, criminal court tracking and accompaniment throughout the court process. Assistance and information is available on a variety of topics, including reparations, restitution, Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements.

Hospital or Law Enforcement Accompaniment
Staff are available to assist survivors of crime in emergency situations at local hospitals/clinics, emergency rooms, or law enforcement centers.

Short-Term Emergency Placement (S.T.E.P.S.)
S.T.E.P.S. may be available for survivors of crime who require short-term emergency housing due to an immediate crisis or victimization. A screening and intake process is required.

Support & Empowerment Groups
Various groups offer a supportive environment in which survivors can explore, discuss and understand the impact and dynamics of violence with other survivors.

Parenting Time Centers
Parenting Time Centers provide safe, neutral environments to visit or exchange children. Intakes are required. A sliding fee scale applies for services. Services include contact exchanges, visitation scheduling, supervised phone calls and Skype. Please contact the Parenting Time Center at 218-739-3132 for intake information and locations.
Parent Time Center Page

Community Thrift Stores
Someplace Safe operates Thrift Stores. The stores are open to the public for shopping and donations. Clients in need may qualify for vouchers for items. Contact a local advocate for more details.
Thrift Stores Page