Domestic Violence

What is:

• Domestic Violence: As defined in Idaho Code 18-918 and as generally accepted, i.e.: a pattern of coercive tactics which can include physical, psychological, sexual, economic, and emotional abuse, perpetrated by one person against an adult intimate partner, with the goal of establishing and maintaining power and control over the victim.

  If you are a victim of Domestic Violence, please seek help immediately. Advocates in Kootenai County for victims of Domestic Violence include The Women's Center at 208-664-9303; Post Fall Police OASIS at 208-773-1080; or Kootenai County Prosecutor Victim Services Advocate at 208-4461824.

• Kootenai County's Domestic Violence Diversion Program: Also known as DVD or Pre-Trial Intervention. This is a custom program in Kootenai County administered by the Adult Misdemeanor Probation Office and which is staffed by the Probation Officer as provided for in the STOP Violence Against Women Grant. It is the aim of this program to provide supervision to specially designated offenders who are deemed worthy of the benefits this program offers. Candidates must meet strict criteria for placement in this program and supervision is very intense. There is no leniency consideration for offenders who even slightly mis-step.

• Kootenai County's Domestic Violence Probation: This is another specific program in Kootenai County administered by the Adult Misdemeanor Probation Office and which is staffed by the Probation Officer as provided for in the STOP Violence Against Women Grant.. It is the aim of this program to provide a more formal and structured supervision to sentenced DV misdemeanor male offenders.

  Supervision for Diversion or Probation is very intensive. Individuals placed on supervision for domestic violence crimes are required to meet with the Domestic Violence Probation Officer more frequently, and there is little latitude, nor compassion for misbehavior. The frequency of the probation contact may decrease only after the probation officer is satisfied that the probationer is involved and participating successfully in appropriate treatment, and the probationer's risk to re-offend is significantly reduced. In addition to the contacts, the domestic violence probation officer uses a variety of methods to ensure that the probationer is abiding to the terms of their probation on a daily basis. A probationer who violates a term of their probation can expect swift and immediate action, which normally means substantial jail time.