From My Perspective

By the Honorable John T. Mitchell, District Judge, Kootenai County, Idaho

As a District Judge, I appreciate having a variety of options when it comes to solving a particular problem. The UGM Center for Women & Children provides a great option for women offenders, especially those with children.

At the end of 2012, in the five northern counties of Idaho, there were 1,319 people on felony probation and another 216 on parole for a total of 1,535 citizens in our area. Of those, 354 (23%) were women.

The vast majority of women who are involved in the criminal justice system have also been the victim of severe trauma. By that, I mean they have been the victim of rape or other sexual abuse, often at a very young age and often repeatedly over a long period of time, or they have been physically abused or neglected as a child, physically beaten as a young adult, or have witnessed a horrific event.

Women who have experienced severe trauma often turn to alcohol and drugs to dull or numb the pain. The substances become a coping mechanism, an unhealthy attempt to deal with the trauma they’ve experienced. I am convinced that unless the underlying trauma is addressed, all we will do is treat and retreat the addiction.

The Union Gospel Mission can help women begin to heal from these issues with professional counseling and therapy. Kootenai County is a better place to live because of the transformation that takes place there. ●