Why Victim Services and Domestic Violence Shelters Are Essential to Law Enforcement in South Dakota

Domestic violence and sexual assault cases are among the most dangerous and emotionally charged calls law enforcement officers respond to. Across South Dakota’s 66 counties, officers consistently report that domestic violence shelters and sexual assault advocacy programs are critical partners in strengthening investigations, protecting victims, and improving long-term public safety.

As a statewide coalition representing serving all 66 counties in South Dakota, SDNAFVSA and our member agencies work alongside police departments, sheriff’s offices, and prosecutors to ensure victims have access to immediate safety, trauma-informed care, and ongoing support.

Law enforcement leaders across the state of South Dakota agree: victim services are not optional; they are essential public safety infrastructure.

Safe Housing Improves Victim Reporting and Case Outcomes

When victims have access to confidential emergency shelter, they are significantly more likely to:

• Report domestic violence and sexual assault
• Provide complete and detailed statements
• Participate in investigations
• Follow through with prosecution

Lieutenant Drew Gortmaker of the Criminal Investigations Division in Vermillion explains:

“These shelters provide immediate safe housing, crisis intervention, and advocacy for individuals fleeing abusive environments, allowing victims the time and stability necessary to cooperate with law enforcement investigations and participate in the judicial process. When victims have access to confidential shelter services, they are more likely to report crimes and seek assistance, which improves law enforcement’s ability to investigate offenses related to domestic violence and sexual abuse.”

Without shelter access, victims may remain in dangerous environments or decline to report crimes, making offender accountability far more difficult.

Domestic violence calls are already among the most volatile calls officers face. Without safe relocation options, victims often return to unsafe homes, leading to repeated 911 calls and escalating violence.

Rachel Abbas of the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office states:

“If there were no domestic violence shelters to house or assist victims, the impact on law enforcement would be significant and wide-ranging. Domestic violence shelters play a crucial role in stabilizing victims and reducing repeat violence. When victims have no safe exit option, the situations may become more volatile. The victims may be less willing to cooperate if they know they have nowhere to go. Officers would face heightened danger due to repeated confrontations with the same offender. Domestic violence calls are already considered among the most dangerous types of calls for officers. Shelters act as a stabilizing force that reduces long-term law enforcement involvement by providing victims with safety, advocacy, and a path toward independence. Without them, police would be forced into a reactive cycle with fewer tools to prevent ongoing harm.”

Shelters interrupt this cycle by providing stabilization, advocacy, and long-term planning that reduce chronic law enforcement involvement.

Deputy Robert Kirvin of the Yankton County Sheriff’s Office warns that without domestic violence shelters, agencies would see:

• Increased call volume
• Escalating confrontations
• Higher risk of severe injury
• Fewer long-term solutions for survivors

He emphasizes:

“Domestic violence shelters are not merely buildings; they are lifelines.”

By providing survivors with safe alternatives, shelters reduce volatility and lower risks for responding officers.

Advocates provide specialized trauma-informed services that complement law enforcement’s work. While officers secure the scene and enforce the law, advocates:

• Conduct safety planning
• Assist with protection orders
• Connect victims to housing and counseling
• Provide crisis stabilization
• Maintain ongoing follow-up

Grant Lanning of the Davison County Sheriff’s Office notes:

“Domestic violence and sexual assault cases are among the most complex and emotionally charged calls that law enforcement officers respond to. Having trained domestic violence advocates available is not simply helpful—it is essential to ensuring victim safety, effective investigations, and successful long‑term outcomes for the individuals and families involved.

Advocates provide specialized, trauma‑informed support that complements law enforcement’s role. While officers focus on securing the scene, assessing danger, and enforcing the law, advocates address the immediate emotional, safety, and resource needs of victims. They help victims understand their options, navigate protective orders, develop safety plans, and access emergency shelter and services. This partnership allows officers to complete thorough investigations while knowing victims are receiving the compassionate, professional care they need.”

Without advocates, victims often face the justice process alone during their most vulnerable moment, increasing the likelihood of recanting or disengaging.

Officer Tyler Urban of the Mitchell Police Department highlights the impact of partnering with The Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota:

“Throughout my years serving the city, I have come across several individuals in need of advocacy and services after being a victim of domestic assault, domestic abuse, sexual assault, etc. The Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota has been an extremely valuable resource and aid for those victims and investigations.

 

There have been numerous times that I have been able to utilize the advocates from the Safe Place to assist victims in feeling comfort and support through difficult and traumatizing times. I have observed advocates aid victims in providing key information and statements to law enforcement. Information and statements that are vital to the outcome of cases. Without the trained and experienced advocates that are provided by the Safe Place, I fear the victims would not be as comfortable or provide the necessary details to law enforcement. Advocates also help victims of abuse before a crime was committed, whether it is assisting with protection orders or getting them to safety before an assault can occur.

 

Not only have the advocates and employees have been a great asset to local law enforcement, but the building itself has also been a great asset. Often times victims of crimes have utilized the building to start anew, to feel safe, and to protect themselves and their families from abusers, assailants, or even the elements. Without the advocates being able to utilize their building to house victims, victims would often have nowhere else to go. This would result in staying at a place where they are not safe, often with the abuser, or be homeless. With not having options, victims expose themselves to more abuse which can lead to a much darker outcome.

 

In all, law enforcement truly would not be able to serve their communities as well. The Safe Place provides options, aid, comfort, and a chance at a better life. I alone have seen countless times that law enforcement has been aided by the Safe Place and the community is better for having it.”

Law enforcement professionals consistently warn that eliminating or underfunding shelters would result in:

• Higher repeat victimization
• Increased officer danger
• Fewer prosecution-ready cases
• Greater strain on jail systems
• Increased homelessness among survivors
• Higher long-term public costs

As one law enforcement leader, Deputy Robert Kirvin, shared:

“When shelters close, the ripple effects hit police departments, healthcare systems, social services, and the broader community. But the deepest cost is borne by survivors-and by officers who carry the emotional weight of responding to violence they know could have been prevented with proper support systems in place.

 

Domestic violence shelters are not merely buildings; they are lifelines. They restore agency to survivors at their most vulnerable moments. They prevent further violence. They help break intergenerational cycles of abuse. And they give law enforcement partners they can trust, professionals who walk with survivors long after officers leave the scene.

 

If these shelters were to go away, we would not simply be losing beds or programs. We would be losing hope, safety, and a critical safeguard for communities across the country. The burden placed on law enforcement would grow heavier, and the pathways to safety for survivors would narrow.”

Domestic violence shelters reduce long-term system strain by breaking cycles of abuse and providing structured, sustainable support.

Support for victim services, including domestic violence shelters, sexual assault advocacy programs, and crisis response services, is a direct investment in public safety, system effectiveness, and community stability.

When victim services are supported:

• Reporting rates increase
• Investigations are stronger and more complete
• Victim participation in the justice process improves
• Recidivism decreases
• Officer and first responder safety improves
• Long-term system costs are reduced
• Communities become safer and more stable

Victim service providers work in coordinated partnership with law enforcement, prosecutors, healthcare systems, and community organizations. This collaboration ensures survivors have immediate access to safety, advocacy, and resources while allowing law enforcement to focus on investigation and accountability.

Without victim services, survivors are more likely to remain in dangerous environments, disengage from the justice process, or experience repeat victimization, increasing strain on public safety systems.

Supporting victim services strengthens the entire public safety response. It improves outcomes for survivors, enhances accountability for offenders, and promotes safer communities for everyone.

In addition to providing direct services, coordinated system training plays a critical role in strengthening public safety outcomes.

Support for victim services also strengthens public safety through coordinated, multidisciplinary training efforts — including STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) trainings.

STOP trainings bring together law enforcement officers, prosecutors, advocates, healthcare professionals, and other system partners to improve coordinated responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. These trainings promote:

• Trauma-informed investigative practices
• Evidence-based prosecution strategies
• Victim-centered response protocols
• Clear interagency communication
• Consistent application of protection order laws
• Improved documentation and report writing
• Risk assessment and lethality awareness

By training system partners together, STOP initiatives reduce gaps in response, increase consistency across jurisdictions, and strengthen accountability for offenders. Officers gain a deeper understanding of trauma responses. Advocates better understand investigative procedures. Prosecutors receive stronger, more thorough cases. Victims experience a more coordinated and supportive system.

The result is not just better individual case outcomes, it is a more efficient, effective, and safer public safety system overall.

Ongoing investment in STOP trainings ensures that communities are not simply reacting to violence, but actively improving the systems designed to prevent it and respond to it.