The Pretty Bird Woman House on the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota provides emergency shelter, aid, counseling, and a variety of other services to women in need. Unfortunately, it’s in dire financial straits after a series of attacks. South Dakota has ongoing problems with sexual assault and abuse, with Amnesty International reporting that:
High levels of sexual violence on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation take place in a context of high rates of poverty and crime… The unemployment rate on the Reservation is 71 per cent. Crime rates on the Reservation often exceed those of its surrounding areas. According to FBI figures, in 2005 South Dakota had the fourth highest rate of “forcible rapes” of women of any US state.
The Pretty Bird Woman House has made a huge difference in the lives of hundreds of women, despite being staffed by only three people. In less than a year, these three employees have:
* Served a total of 614 individuals with education and services.
* Answered 397 crisis calls
* Provided emergency shelter to 188 women and 132 children.
* Helped 23 women obtain restraining orders, 10 get divorces, and 16 get medical assistance
* Provided court advocacy support for 28 women, and
* Conducted community education programs for 360 women.
Chip in and help them out.
Thanks to Kristen for the link.