Fellow members of the University of Montana School of Law community,
The Criminal Injustice System and the greater UM ACLU chapter always strive to foster a safe and inclusive place for every member of our community. Those involved with this blog recognize the courage it takes to come forward as a survivor of sexual or domestic violence. It is never valid to question the truthfulness of survivors or the accuracy of their reports, comprehension, and memories. Minimizing a survivor’s experience in any capacity is abominable.
It is my sincere hope that our school can take this opportunity to move in a positive direction. I admire the tenacity that our student body has demonstrated through this difficult situation. I am impressed by the compassion, integrity, and empathy exhibited by you all.
Please find below a list of resources in Missoula for survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Please also find resources for anyone struggling with their mental and emotional health.
On Campus Resources for Survivors:
University of Montana Student Advocacy Resource Center:
The Student Advocacy Resource Center (SARC) is a confidential and free service offered by UM. SARC respects the autonomy of survivors and offers referrals, connections, and advocacy based on your decisions. SARC has tailored services for survivors.
Main Office: SARC is open between 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. They may be reached by phone—(406) 243.4429; email—sarc@mso.umt.edu; in-person—Curry Health Center, rm. 108; or Zoom by request.
Walk-In Hours: No appointment is necessary from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Emergency Services. SARC offers 24-hr clinician support via their crisis line (406) 243.6559.
Curry Health Center is another resource at UM. In addition to helping survivors get connected with resources, Curry offers a free initial consultation followed by up to 12 individual sessions for $25 a session in an academic school year. Curry has free group therapy sessions. Meeting with Curry Counseling
Main Office: Curry is open between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. To schedule an appointment you may call—(406) 243.4712; schedule on-line—Student Health Portall; or email—contactcurry@mso.umt.edu. Curry’s counseling services are located in the Curry Health Center, rm. 076. Wait times for initial consultations are currently between one and four weeks. You may directly contact the Counseling Services if you are experiencing a crisis during business hours. Curry does not accept Medicare, Medicaid, or TriCare.
University of Montana Title IX:
Title IX coordinates UM’s response to reported sexual harassment, stalking, sexual assault, relationship violence, retaliation, and other forms of sex-based discrimination. You can find a flowchart of the Title IX reporting and initial support process here. It is available in accessible text here. You may file your own Title IX report or someone may file it on your behalf. Please note that employees of the law school are mandatory reporters. This includes the TAs and JPs.
Main Office: You can reach Title IX by phone—(406) 243.5710 or email—eoaa@umontana.edu. You can also file a report here.
Other Community Resources for Survivors:
The YWCA focuses on moving women and families out of crisis. It also offers programs that focus on long-term independence. The YWCA offers help to people who are concerned for their safety and/or housing insecure.
Main Office: Walk-in appointments are welcome between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Every Tuesday there is a support group at 6:15 p.m. for survivors of abuse and interpersonal violence. The YWCA is located at 1800 South 3rd St. West. The main line is (406) 543.6691.
Emergency Services: You can call the YWCA’s crisis line at either (406) 542.1944 or (800) 483.7858. Crisis line staff will provide immediate and confidential support. If you are in need of immediate shelter due to your situation, the YWCA has a domestic violence shelter that offers immediate protection. The YWCA will work with you to find stable housing and will connect you with other resources.
First STEP provides medical care, advocacy and assistance, and evidence collection for people affected by sexual violence. Medical care is available even if a survivor does not want to proceed with evidence collection. While at First STEP, survivors are offered a victim advocate. This advocate can connect you with further medical and counseling resources, as well as assist you with reporting to law enforcement if you so choose. No report to law enforcement is required to access services. First STEP is located at Providence St. Patrick’s Hospital.
Main line: (406) 329.5776 this is a 24-hr. line.
Missoula County Attorney’s Office:
Oversees the prosecution of all felonies in Missoula County and a portion of misdemeanors.
Phone: 406-258-4737; Address: 200 W. Broadway St., Missoula, MT, 59802; Email: countyattorney@missoulacounty.us
Crime Victim Advocate Program:
The CVA provides confidential and free assistance to survivors of sexual and domestic violence who are pursuing criminal charges. They can connect you with crisis counseling, emotional support, and guidance on the criminal proceedings. They can also assist you with filing an order of protection and help prepare you for an order of protection hearing. You do not need to consult the CVA to file an order of protection, you may find the form here along with a checklist/instructions for each court.
Main Office: The CVA can be contacted by phone—(406) 258.3830 or email—cva@missoulacounty.us. It is located at 317 Woody St., Missoula, mt 59802.
You can find more resources offered by the County on the Missoula County Resource Page.
You can find more resources regarding emergency food and shelter in Missoula and the surrounding counties via the Human Resource Council.
Mental Health & Substance Dependency Resources
You can contact Western Montana Mental Health for a free confidential assessment. This resource also provides crisis stabilization, individual therapy, group therapy, and peer support groups.
1321 Wyoming St, Missoula, MT 59801
Phone: (406) 532-8400
Fax: (406) 356-5213
Email: administration@wmmhc.org
Turning Point Outpatient Western Montana Addiction Services
You can contact Turning Point for comprehensive substance dependency treatment.
1325 Wyoming Street
Missoula, MT 59808
Phone: (406) 532-9800
L. Moose
Criminal Injustice System 