By Jaymie Depew
Alger Advocate
Women’s Center
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is well underway, with many activities hosted by the Women’s Center taking place throughout Alger and Marquette counties.
DVAM is honored every October when we celebrate survivors and memorialize those who’ve died because of domestic violence. This month, we’ve set up tables with information about services the Women’s Center offers at coffee shops, libraries and Pak Ratz — a thrift store that’s located in the same building as the Marquette branch at 1301 S. Front St.
You may have also noticed purple pumpkins — purple being the color representing DVAM — displayed at various establishments in our service area. The pumpkins are set next to signs that have domestic violence statistics on them with information about how to contact the Women’s Center. This was a collaboration between our organization, Tadych’s — who donated the pumpkins — and the women’s basketball team at Northern Michigan University, who painted them.
The Women’s Center has offices in Marquette, Munising and Ishpeming, and dedicated, trauma-informed staff members who provide a variety of services free of charge and 100% confidential.
Services include, but aren’t limited to, advocacy and court support, such as attending court dates with clients and/or reporting their assault to law enforcement, assistance in filing personal protection orders, housing assistance, providing referrals to local resources, helping clients fill out housing and job applications, providing counseling and education about domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking, and much more.
The Women’s Center also has two licensed therapists on staff, a 24/7 support line, support groups, a 16-bed emergency shelter and volunteer-based response teams that are available to emotionally support survivors at police stations and hospitals when called upon.
The Women’s Center also has a variety of programs, including:
- Sexual Assault Nurse Exam program — The Women’s Center teamed up with Marquette Medical Center, where any sexual assault survivor older than 13 can receive an exam in a private, comfortable setting. If the survivor would like, an advocate from the Women’s Center can meet them at the Medical Center for emotional support. This is the first program of its kind in the U.P. and was launched in December.
- SASAWIN program — Often overlooked is the part pets play in domestic violence situations. It’s common for perpetrators to threaten, harm and even kill pets to control and intimidate their partner. The Women’s Center provides foster homes to pets until their humans are safe.
- Child Advocacy Center program — Acquiring the Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center is the newest endeavor of the Women’s Center. At the CAC, which is now located in the same building as our Marquette office, children who have experienced sexual or physical abuse or neglect are interviewed in a safe space. Interviews are recorded, shared with local agencies and can be used as evidence so the children don’t have to continually reshare their story which could retraumatize them.
While I wish we didn’t need to have any of these services, that’s unfortunately not the case. In fiscal year 2025, the Women’s Center received 8,298 support line calls, had 77 adults and 37 children reside at the emergency shelter and assisted 365 survivors through outreach services. Additionally, we have had 30 individuals use the Sexual Assault Nurse Exam program.
For more information, visit the Women’s Center’s Facebook page or visit wcmqt.org. You can also call our 24/7 support line at 906-226-6611.
The Alger County office is located in the Alger Parks and Recreation building at 413 Maple St., Munising. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For details, call 906-387-4554.