Domestic Violence Council aims to fill gaps in supporting local victims

Sometimes, it only takes a few dollars to begin repairing a life.

That’s why the Minnehaha County Family Violence Council established a Survivor Assistance Fund.

In 2024, its first year in existence, 16 people received help. This year, as of early December, the fund assisted 26 individuals.

“The fund provides the necessary materials people need to be safe,” said Breckin Steilen-Hart, the council’s vice president and treasurer. “Some of the biggest ones are Ring doorbells or Ring cameras, and we’ve also purchased phones and phone cards so people can be in touch with their advocates, the state’s attorney, law enforcement and counseling, what they need for legalities and emotional wellness.”

In another instance, the Survivor Assistance Fund provided the money needed to replace a window broken by someone threatening another person, said Kate Feilmeier, the council’s chairperson.

“Here and there, we help with things that are very unique, but there’s nobody else to help,” she said.

Feilmeier is program director for the Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety and Bright Start. Steilen-Hart serves as assistant program supervisor at the shelter. The Children’s Home Shelter is just one of about 20 service agencies in Minnehaha County that work to aid survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. That includes the Minnehaha County state’s attorney, sheriff’s office, Sioux Falls Police Department and Solace, formerly known as The Compass Center.

The council hosts the annual awareness-raising Take Back the Night, which is the oldest event designed to stand against sexual violence. Nationally, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men – 41 percent and 26 percent respectively — will experience sexual violence, Steilen-Hart said.

Locally, the numbers reflect national statistics and have shown similar growth, he said. Some of that can be attributed to the drug epidemic, political unrest and even the holiday season, with the stress that often accompanies it leading to spikes.

“Whether or not a person is affected directly by sexual violence, I think everyone is affected to a certain degree,” Steilen-Hart said. “Those who aren’t directly affected by the violence, someone you know more than likely knows someone who has been affected.”

Feilmeier agreed.

“It knows no bounds,” she said. “It can affect anybody. Very likely you or someone you know has experienced some of those victimizations.”

The local Take Back the Night event generally brings in a client to share their story, Feilmeier said. There’s sometimes a panel, with music, food and a candlelight vigil walk. Earlier this year, Take Back the Night in Sioux Falls brought together more than 200 community members “to stand in solidarity with survivors and families of victims, fostering healing through community support,” Steilen-Hart said.

“If you’re a survivor, it’s a night to come together and know help and hope,” Feilmeier said. “It’s taking back a night that isn’t in control of the abuser.”

The Minnehaha County Family Violence Council welcomes other partner agencies that work with victims of sexual violence, Feilmeier said. While partner agencies pay a membership fee, it largely depends on fundraisers such as annual events hosted by The Barrel House and Pizza Hut.

The Survivor Assistance Fund has accomplished a lot with minimal funds in the past two years, providing about $2,300 to support people in need since 2024.

For the program to grow, the Minnehaha County Family Violence Council needs additional funds, Steilen-Hart said.

“It’s monetary donations that keep us going,” he said. “Our Take Back the Night is increasing in cost as the years go on. And the need (for the assistance fund) will steadily increase as people are becoming aware of the services we provide.”