History

• Violence Intervention Project (VIP) History Violence Intervention Project (VIP) was originally conceived in May 1990 by two groups of concerned local citizens: the Martha Ripley Alliance and Project Safe.

  The Martha Ripley Alliance established in 1978 was a group of dedicated women from various backgrounds. Their purpose was to provide alternatives to women who, like themselves, were living in an environment of domestic violence.

  Project Safe, began in 1979 and its primary focus was to serve victims of sexual assault.

  Today, VIP is a private non-profit agency that serves victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault in Minnesota Region I, including the counties of Polk, Roseau, Marshall, Kittson, Pennington, Red Lake, and Norman. VIP’s current programs, activities, service statistics, strengths and accomplishments.

  VIP has an office in Thief River Falls, MN that also serves as administrative center. BIP shelter serves a population of approximately 91,000. VIP also provides Criminal Justice Intervention Services in Red Lake Falls and Pennington counties.