The most dangerous job in the American Fork Police Department may not belong to a sworn officer, but an employee of the City who helps victims of domestic violence by providing them a path to safety.

“Sometimes I can incur the wrath of a perpetrator by helping their victims,” said Dawna Whiting, who is in charge of the Victim’s Assistance Program at the American Fork Police Department, giving crisis support to all victims of violent crime. “Laying low as I can be is best.”

But Ms. Whiting doesn’t lay low. Helped by just one volunteer, she has had contacts with no fewer than 935 victims of violent crimes in American Fork and Cedar Hills in one year alone and provided over 1700 services, ranging from answering questions to obtaining protective orders or stalking injunctions and even referrals to legal and financial assistance. Ms. Whiting says she attends courts with the victims and informs them of their rights and protects their interests. She also acts as a liaison between victims, police officers, investigators, prosecutors and community-based agencies.

“I am on call all the time,” Ms. Whiting said. “I do a lot of phone calls from victims, and the police field a lot of late-night phone calls for me.”

The American Fork Citizen made the editorial decision to not publish a photo of Ms. Whiting.

In one year, the American Fork Victim’s Assistance Program has helped 383 victims of domestic violence, 56 of child sexual abuse, 28 of child physical abuse, 10 of sexual assaults, 70 of stalking and harassment, and 3 homicide survivors.

Ms. Whiting’s job, which she has held since Aug. 2009, offers a rare look into the dark world of domestic violence, crystallizing the sense of helplessness that is often encountered in a field where victims won’t leave their recidivating offenders.

“I’ve had a few heartbreaking cases of domestic violence where the mother and children want to leave and simply can’t for various reasons,” Ms. Whiting said. “They sometimes won’t have the support of the clergy and family who are very much pressuring them to stay.”

“I run across a lot of instances where, especially women, aren’t educated or have any job skills, so they literally don’t have anywhere else to go,” she said.

Experts say that needing stability and fearing change can cause victims of domestic violence to remain in abusive relationships, even when their friends and families don’t understand why they stay, much like people often stay in jobs they don’t enjoy for the steady paycheck, insurance or familiarity, as well as fear of change or fear of not finding another job. But a glimmer of hope may be on the horizon, as recent studies have shown that although a woman may return to her perpetrator, with support and increased knowledge of resources, she will be more likely to leave again.

During her semi-annual report to the City Council last week, Ms. Whiting said she currently has only one volunteer helping her, while she used to have two or three. Ms. Whiting’s position is funded by the Victim of Crime Act (VOCA), a federal grant, which requires her to use volunteers.

“The grant has been cut a bit over the last year or two, but it’s doing fine — for at least a couple of more years,” Ms. Whiting said, responding to a question by City Councilmember Heidi Rodeback, who was concerned about the stability of the funding, calling her work “important and necessary.”

“Where do you go for therapy?” asked Councilman Brad Frost, in closing.

To which, Ms. Whiting replied: “Co-workers.”

Dawna Whiting can be reached at 801-763-3020.