Klickitat County's 'Gina's Place' Shelter: A Lifeline for Domestic Violence Survivors

From Programs for Peaceful Living:

By Brittany Spratt

Bingen WA. Sept. 27, 2023 - In August of 2022, Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) opened a new shelter in Klickitat County, providing temporary safe housing to those fleeing domestic violence. Managed by the team at Programs for Peaceful Living (PFPL), it was dubbed “Gina’s Place” in honor of State Representative Gina Mosbrucker, who championed the effort to bring Capital Funding to a County that had been without a domestic violence shelter for over two decades.

Has it been worth the effort? Absolutely.

Sadly, the shelter has been in use nearly every day since it opened. It is rarely unoccupied. There are three rooms with eight beds available, and a survivor’s average length of stay is 30 days. Over 40 domestic violence survivors have benefitted from having a safe and comfortable place to go to navigate through their trauma. This safe home has provided many nights to individuals and families who need that important healing time.

Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, is an epidemic affecting every community nationwide. It does not discriminate. It can affect anyone regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality.

Since 1989, Congress has dedicated the month of October to Domestic Violence Awareness in support and recognition of those who have suffered from or are still living with domestic violence today. This year’s theme for awareness is: “Every1KnowsSome1.”     

Domestic Violence is not just physical abuse; it can also present as verbal or mental abuse from a partner or loved one. Some warning signs include the person:

 Accusing you of cheating.

 Dictating how you dress, who you see, how you spend your money, and controlling your every move.

 Isolating you from family and friends.

 Threatening to hurt your family, friends, and loved ones.

 Destroying your property or personal belongings.

 Stalking, following, or monitoring your location continually.

 Pressuring you for sex, sabotaging your birth control, or refusing to wear protection.

 Having extreme jealousy of who you spend time with.

 Intimidating you with weapons or the threat of weapons.

 Preventing you from working or attending school, or harassing you at either location.

 Consistently trying to maintain power and control.

Programs for Peaceful Living staff are available to support those currently experiencing domestic violence or those who have experienced domestic violence in the past. We have many resources to share here in Klickitat County, such as one-on-one advocacy, therapy referrals, court support, safety planning, temporary safe shelter, and much more.

We are so fortunate to have a safe shelter here in Klickitat County to provide these services to those who need them! Our team knows not every case is cookie cutter, and some may need a night or two to rest and get their bearings while others may need a little longer stay. If the shelter is full, we will make other arrangements to keep survivors safe. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and need help, please reach out to an advocate at Programs for Peaceful Living. Call WAGAP at 509-493-2662 and ask for the Programs for Peaceful Living office in either Goldendale or Bingen. Office hours are Monday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Fridays by appointment. 

If you are in Crisis, contact the 24/7 Crisis Line at 844-493-1709.

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Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency that helps individuals, families, and communities. WAGAP addresses basic human needs, including food, shelter, energy assistance, and more, in Skamania and Klickitat Counties. For more than 50 years, WAGAP has helped people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org, or contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or info@wagap.org.