Missoula Family Violence Council Recognizes Community Service [YouTube]

The Missoula Family Violence Council recognized nine individuals on Wednesday afternoon during their annual awards ceremony in the rotunda of the Missoula County Courthouse.

Missoula Mayor John Engen opened the ceremony by recalling the nightmare that one woman suffered just this week, when her partner beat, strangled and raped her. Engen then praised the Missoula Family Violence Council for the work they have done to help victims of domestic violence.

"More than one in three women and more than one in four men in the United States have experienced rape,family violence or stalking by an intimate partner in his of her lifetime," Engen said. "Nearly half of all women and men in the United States have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner. Missoula has an amazing network of souls who are working on this issue every day, many of whom are in this room today to be honored for their work."

One of the award recipients was Senior Deputy Two Jace Dicken. Sheriff Carl Ibsen presented the award by relating the circumstances of one case in which a young woman had been strangled and beaten by her domestic partner. Ibsen said the young woman's life was dramatically changed by the kindness and compassion shown by Deputy Dicken.

"He made a world of difference to this young lady and helped her take some major steps to change her life, and exclude her abuser from it," Ibsen said. "SD2 Dicken also directed her to the Crime Victim Advocate's office, where she received the help she needed to navigate the next few steps of her life."

Others awarded at the ceremony included Brandy Ries, Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, Officer Crystal Crockett, Missoula Police Officer of the Year, Kathy Managan, Human Services Professional of the Year, Captain Mike Colyer, Criminal Justice Professional of the Year, University of Montana Police Captain Ben Gladwin, Public Servant of the Year, Dr. Kimberly Brown Campbell, Educator of the Year, and the late Richard Krumm, Citizen of the Year.

The Missoula Family Violence Council aims to reduce and eliminate interpersonal violence for people who live in Missoula.