Our Story
The Women’s Center, doing business as Safe Passage was founded as a rape crisis center in 1977 in Coeur d’Alene. Today, we are one of the largest victim service organizations in the state of Idaho. We provide responsive services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child victimization, reaching over 1,300 survivors every year. Our comprehensive services include: 24-hour crisis lines staffed by trained advocates; Confidential safe shelter (the focus of this application); 24-hour response to support victims of sexual or domestic violence who are treated at the hospital; Court advocacy to help survivors navigate the civil and criminal judicial system, explore and acquire protection orders, and access other legal services to increase safety; Free crisis counseling for survivors, children, or non-offending caregivers whose children have been victims of physical or sexual abuse; Advocacy and forensic interviewing at our North Idaho Children’s Advocacy Center where children who have alleged sexual or physical abuse begin the investigative process in a trauma-informed environment; and Housing advocacy and temporary housing assistance for survivors who leave their abusers and need help to establish their own permanent residence. In addition, we lead violence prevention efforts in schools throughout North Idaho, educating over 3,000 students annually.