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General Program Questions
1. What exactly is Project SAFE?
2. Where are you located? What areas do you serve?
3. What services do you provide?
4. What are your hours?
5. Can you do presentations or classes for businesses, schools, or other organizations?
6. What kind of presentations can you do?
Domestic Violence Questions
1. What is domestic violence?
2. What can I do if I am being abused?
3. What should I do if a friend or family member is being abused?
4. What is the cycle of violence?
5. What is a Protection Order or Stalking order?
6. What is the legal process when someone has been charged with domestic violence?
Sexual Assault Questions
1. What is sexual assault?
2. What should I do if I suspect I have been a victim of sexual assault?
3. What should I do if a friend or family member is a victim of sexual assault?
4. What is a rape kit? What happens with a rape kit?
5. What is the legal process when someone has been charged with sexual assault?
6. What are my recovery options?
Victim Witness Questions
1. What is the purpose for the Victim Witness program?
2. I have been a victim of a crime. What can you do for me?
3. What do I need to do to file for Victim Compensation?
4. What happens when I file for Victim Compensation?
5. Will someone attend court on my behalf?
6. What is a victim impact statement?
Platte County Homelessness Prevention Program
1. What is the PCHPP?
2. Who can you help?
3. How do I get the help I need?
Safe Kids Platte County
1. What is Safe Kids?
2. What services are available?
3. What kind of education and prevention programs can you offer?
4. My child’s seat needs to be inspected. What next?
5. How do I get a car seat / booster seat?
6. I need a bicycle helmet! Can you help?
General Program Questions
1. What exactly is Project SAFE?
Project SAFE, Inc. is a non-profit organization who serves victims of all crime - including, but not limited to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Project SAFE also assists with housing concerns and child safety.
2. Where are you located? What areas do you serve?
Project SAFE is located at 1207 9th Street, Wheatland, WY. We serve all areas of Platte County: Guernsey, Hartville, Glendo, Wheatland, and Chugwater.
3. What services do you provide?
There are currently four programs that Project SAFE maintains. These programs are Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault, Victim Witness, Platte County Homelessness Prevention Program, and Safe Kids Platte County. Please see our services page for more details.
4. What are your hours?
Project SAFE is currently open from 9am to 4pm, Monday through Friday. Generally there is someone in the office from 8am until 5pm. Project SAFE is not open on federal/state holidays or weekends. We also maintain a 24-hour crisis line in case of emergencies.
5. Can you do presentations or classes for businesses, schools, or other organizations?
Yes! One of our key strategic planning goals is to do more community outreach. If you or someone you know would like us to provide educational or informational presentations, please contact us.
6. What kind of presentations can you do?
There are many presentations Project SAFE can provide. Some topics include bullying, domestic violence, sexual assault, elderly abuse, child abuse, general Project SAFE information, Safe Kids topics (child safety, water safety, toy safety, fire safety, etc - see the Safe Kids link for more), teen dating violence, self-esteem, financial management and control, technology and stalking, technology and our kids - keeping them safe, and many others. If there is something specific you have in mind, please contact us to see if we have any materials available.
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Domestic Violence Questions
1. What is domestic violence?
The basic legal definition of domestic violence is as follows: the occurrence of one (1) or more of the following acts by a household member but does not include acts of self defense: (A) Physically abusing, threatening to physically abuse, attempting to cause or causing physical harm or acts which unreasonably restrain the personal liberty of any household member; (B) Placing a household member in reasonable fear of imminent physical harm; or (C) Causing a household member to engage involuntarily in sexual activity by force, threat of force or duress.
2. What can I do if I am being abused?
Seek help from law enforcement, friends, family, church or other community organizations. Project SAFE is also always available if you need assistance. We have numerous services and resources to offer you in this difficult time. Our job is not to make decisions for you, but to help you know all of your options so you can figure out what best suits your circumstances. The first and foremost concern is your safety, so as always, if you are in immediate danger, please dial 911 for assistance.
3. What should I do if a friend or family member is being abused?
Be supportive and listen to what he or she is telling you. More often than not, domestic violence goes unreported because of how the victim feels others will view him or her. Do not blame him or her. Do not suggest marriage counseling. If he or she is not in a position to leave, or feels help is unneccessary, you will not be able to change his or her mind. If you need additional information or resources, please contact the office.
4. What is the cycle of violence?
The cycle of violence is the four phases an abuser continually cycles through. It begins with tension building, where there may be minor instances of abuse, but mostly the victim feels like he or she is walking on egg shells. Then, it moves on to the actual event, or full-out abuse. Next, it moves to the making-up phase, where the abuser apologizes, swears it will never happen again, and often makes excuses that blame the victim. And, finally, the calm phase, where the abuser acts as though nothing has happened. These cycles very rarely cease. If domestic violence is going on, more often than not it will not only continue, but it will also only get worse.
5. What is a Protection Order or Stalking order?
In the simplest terms, it is merely a piece of paper that may help keep you safe. A Protection Order is an order from a judge that states your abuser (see the Protection Order information page for more information about who qualifies) may not contact you in any way, shape, or form. More information is available on the Information tab.
6. What is the legal process when someone has been charged with domestic violence?
First of all, he or she will generally be arrested. If the incident happens over the weekend, he or she will likely be in jail over the weekend. With cases of domestic violence, the judges here have been excellent about making sure our victims have a chance to get somewhere safe. The next step is the arraignment. He or she will be advised of all charges against him/her. The abuser will be able to plea at this time. There are three possible pleas: not guilty, guilty, or no lo contendre. If he or she pleads guilty or no lo contendre, the judge will then sentence him/her based on the state laws. Domestic Violence / Battery is punishable by up to $750 fine and/or 180 days in jail, with a mandatory $150 crime victim fee plus court costs. If he or she does not plead guilty, he or she has an opportunity to request bail and the opportunity to have a lawyer. The next step is the preliminary hearing, and then if he or she chooses to have a bench or jury trial, it will then go to trial. And, finally, the last step is the sentencing should he or she be found guilty.
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Sexual Assault Questions
1. What is sexual assault?
In general, sexual assault can be defined as any unwanted contact that is done in a sexual manner.
2. What should I do if I suspect I have been a victim of sexual assault?
If you think you have been sexually assaulted, and you want to report it, please contact the police immediately. They will want to collect evidence as soon as possible. Then, they will likely send you to the nearest hospital. Even if you do not want to report it, but want a rape kit done, you have that option and you should still go to the hospital. DO NOT take a shower, change clothes, brush your hair, or otherwise “tidy up”. You may be inadvertently destroying evidence.
3. What should I do if a friend or family member is a victim of sexual assault?
The most important thing to remember is that he or she needs your support. Listen to him/her, be a shoulder to cry on, and a source of information if he/she needs it. Under no circumstances should you participate in victim blaming.
4. What is a rape kit? What happens with a rape kit?
A rape kit is now known as a biological evidence kit. The kits change from location to location, but what you can expect generally stays the same. The victim will be asked to remove all of their clothing while standing on a clean sheet. Then, he or she will be asked to lie on a bed with another clean sheet underneath. The doctor or Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner will begin the rape kit. There will be anal and vaginal swabs taken (much like a pap smear / pelvic exam). There will be swabs from under finger nails, any body fluids, hair samples from head and pubic areas, and photographs will be taken if necessary. The hospital will turn it over to law enforcement, who will then send it to a licensed lab to be evaluated.
5. What is the legal process when someone has been charged with sexual assault?
First of all, he or she will generally be arrested. The next step is the arraignment. He or she will be advised of all charges against him/her. The abuser will be able to plea at this time. There are three possible pleas: not guilty, guilty, or no lo contendre. If he or she pleads guilty or no lo contendre, the judge will then sentence him/her based on the state laws. Sexual Assault in the first degree is punishable by no less than 5 years and no more than 50 years. Sexual Assault in the second degree is punishable by no less than 2 years and no more than 20 years. Sexual Assault in the 3rd degree is punishable by no more than 15 years. There may also be fines and will be crime victim fees. If he or she does not plead guilty, he or she has an opportunity to request bail and the opportunity to have a lawyer. The next step is the preliminary hearing, and then if he or she chooses to have a bench or jury trial, it will then go to trial. And, finally, the last step is the sentencing should he or she be found guilty.
6. What are my recovery options?
Above all else, please realize that this isn’t your fault. If you have been the victim of sexual assault, you have many options available to you. Counseling is strongly recommended due to the lasting effects of sexual assault, and may be available to you free of charge through various programs we offer. We may be able to help you move to a place where you feel safe. We may also help with empowerment classes, or refer you to someone who offers self defense classes. It is important to take back the control you have lost, and we will help you figure out what you need to do that for yourself.
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Victim Witness Questions
1. What is the purpose for the Victim Witness program?
The purpose of the Victim Witness program is to provide services to victims of all crimes. Historically, only victims of domestic violence and sexual assault (and the subsets of those groups – child abuse, elderly/disabled abuse, etc) were provided services at Project SAFE. In 2000, the Victim Witness program was added to provide services to those who are victims of other crimes. This program also made it possible to do victim compensation.
2. I have been a victim of a crime. What can you do for me?
See the services page for an in-depth look at what Project SAFE may offer. In specific, if you are a victim of a crime, you have certain rights. Project SAFE will help you recognize your rights and your options. Project SAFE will also assist with victim compensation, attend court on your behalf, put together restitution paperwork if needed, and much more. Please contact Anne for further details.
3. What do I need to do to file for Victim Compensation?
There is an application for primary victims. We recommend you come into the office to fill out your application, since the state will need specific information from us and from law enforcement. However, if you’d just like to look at the application and see what information you’ll need, you can find it at http://victimservices.wyoming.gov/vcomp-primary.htm. If you are a secondary victim (ie: the parent of a minor victim), you will have to come in to fill out paperwork, as there’s currently none online.
4. What happens when I file for Victim Compensation?
When you file for Victim Compensation, the Division of Victim Services will review the information sent in, review any law enforcement reports, and based on all available information, they will determine whether or not you are eligible. Once this happens, they will send you a notice that they will pay certain bills or expenses. Unless it has already been an out of pocket expense, the payments will be mailed directly to the agencies who are owed money for services. For more information about what qualifies and what bills or expenses may be covered, please contact Anne.
5. Will someone attend court on my behalf?
Yes, we make every effort to attend all court hearings that we are aware of. If you would like to know what happens but do not want to go, this is an option you are welcome to take advantage of.
6. What is a victim impact statement?
A Victim Impact Statement is often used during sentencing. This is a statement that comes directly from you, the victim. You may want to tell your feelings, what the incident has done to you and your family, how it will continue to impact your life and anything else you think is relevant. This helps the judge determine sentencing. Please contact us to assist you with writing your impact statement.
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Platte County Homelessness Prevention Program Questions
1. What is the PCHPP?
The WHPP is a program we are starting in October. This program is primarily designed to help prevent or decrease homelessness in Platte County. Because Project SAFE receives a block grant to help with rent, utilities, emergency shelter, transportation, etc, we decided to apply for a new grant that was made available due to stimulus money. We received the grant and it will begin on October 1, 2009 and will continue until September 30, 2012. For more information about what this program enables us to do for you, please contact the office.
The PCHPP will help those who are homeless or at high risk of becoming homeless, and is limited to those who are low to no income. For specific regulations, please stop by the office.
3. How do I get the help I need?
This program is currently unavailable. As of October 1, it will become available to all citizens of Platte County. You will need to stop by the office to fill out an application and discuss your situation with our staff members. Once you have filled out the application, we will review it to make sure it fits all of our criteria, and if it does, we will assist you with any services you may need.
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Safe Kids Platte County Questions
1. What is Safe Kids?
Safe Kids is an international program designed to help reduce injury for kids. For more information, please go to http://usa.safekids.org.
2. What services are available?
This program is being rebuilt, but services currently available are car seat installations and inspections, booster seat installations and inspections, and presentations for prevention or education.
3. What kind of education and prevention programs can you offer?
Bicycle Safety, Burn and Scald Prevention, Car Seat Usage, Choking/Airway Obstruction Safety, Drowning, Prevention, Fall Prevention, Fire Prevention, Firearms Safety, Holiday Safety, Home Injury Prevention, Motor Vehicle Safety, Parent Safety Checklists, Pedestrian Safety, Playground Safety, Poisoning Prevention, Safety In & Around Cars, School Injury Prevention, Sports Injury Prevention, Toy Injury Prevention, and many others. Please contact us for more information.
4. My child’s seat needs to be inspected. What next?
Please contact the office to schedule an appointment. If this is an emergency, please let us know. We have limited time for walk-ins, so you will have better luck if you do schedule an appointment.
5. How do I get a car seat / booster seat?
Stop by the office. You’ll have some paperwork to fill out, and Anne will have to install the seat. Again, please call and schedule an appointment if at all possible.
6. I need a bicycle helmet! Can you help?
Yes we can! For the entire month of August, we will be doing Thursdays in the Park, where we bring bicycle helmets and give them away to those who need them. You are also welcome to stop by the office if you’re unavailable on Thursdays.