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Justice Initiatives

Rural Program

Nearly one-third of Missoula County residents live in rural communities. Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking living in these areas often face barriers to safety and support, including limited access to services, transportation, and safe housing.

The Rural Program works to address these unique challenges, by complimenting the relationships work provided within Missoula city-limits by Just Response to strengthen coordinated community responses. At a systems level, fragmented responses can weaken case outcomes, increase justice system burdens, and widen rural-urban inequities. By strengthening both individual safety pathways and rural institutional capacity, the Rural Program works to prevent future victimization, improve victim safety, and hold offenders accountable.

In 2010, Missoula County partnered with neighboring Mineral County to expand the program’s reach. The Rural Program has been funded by the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, for more than ten years.

Rural Program staff and partners provide community-based outreach and education in rural communities through partner locations. For information on upcoming trainings, presentations, or events contact the Rural Program using the form below.

Projects & Initiatives

The Rural Program coordinates partnerships with local advocates, community-based organizations, rural schools, and local agencies to develop and support projects and initiatives that advance three core outcomes:

  • Increase access to services and safety by enhancing the provision of advocacy and legal services;

  • Strengthen coordinated system responses through collaboration, coordination, and trainings to local professionals; and

  • Prevent future violence by supporting early intervention, community education, and rural youth healthy relationships education.

The Rural Program partners with local victim service organizations to enhance access to emergency housing, crisis intervention, safety planning, and advocacy for our rural communities.

Virtual Trauma Informed Support Group for Rural Survivors

A free, confidential virtual support group for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking starts Wednesday, October 21, 2026 from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. 

To register: text Angela Harris, SWLC & Erin Goudreau, SWLC at 406-540-1505. Must live outside Missoula city limits in Missoula or Mineral counties to qualify. 

Emergency Shelter Services for Rural Survivors

The YWCA Pathways Program provides 24-hour support to individuals who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking and stalking. The services offered include crisis counseling via the 24-hour crisis line and/or in-person peer counseling, safe shelter, support groups and an in-house licensed therapist.

How to reach them: 

Call 406-524-1944 or 1-800-483-7858

What they can do for you:

  • Crisis Support: 24-hour crisis line staffed by advocates who offer emotional support, information and referrals.

  • In-person support is available from advocates at the YWCA office at 1800 South 3rd St. W in Missoula

  • Shelter: A 60-day shelter program is available for all genders and children who are in danger due to a sexual assault, domestic violence, or stalking, in Missoula, Mineral and Granite Counties, and Lower Lake County up to Arlee, Upper Ravalli County to Florence, and the Browning Domestic Violence Program.

    • Short-term shelter (up to three weeks) may be available outside of the service area, if space allows.

Rural Youth Healthy Relationships Education

To help prevent future violence, the Rural Program partners with Missoula and Mineral County educators to bring evidence-informed healthy relationships education into rural classrooms. The program also supports partner-led efforts that provide prevention education and support group opportunities.

The Rural Program helps increase access to justice by supporting specialized civil legal services for survivors in our rural communities. While the Rural Program does not provide legal representation directly, the program partners with legal service providers to ensure eligible survivors can access high-quality legal support without prohibitive travel or cost.

Do you or someone you know need help in Mineral County?

A Missoula County Rural Crime Victim Advocate is available to provide free and confidential assistance to victims of relationship violence, sexual assault, and stalking by appointment at 406-248-3830 or by drop ins, Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mineral County Helpline Office (301 E. Second Ave in Superior).


Did you know?

Missoula Public Health can provide additional trainings and resources to local businesses and their employees. Click here to learn more


 

This project is supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-24-GG-01024-RURA awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice.