Victim advocates play a critical role in Colorado communities by offering a hand to hold or shoulder to cry on after a crime has been committed. Donna Herod, who won a Colorado "Jefferson Award" for her work as a volunteer with the Delta Police Department says advocates are on-call around the clock to support victims of domestic abuse and other crimes.
“They may not have anybody that is there, and they're just bewildered and they don't know who to go to because they're in such shock a lot of times. And if they don't have any family there, somebody needs to be there to give them that support.”
Chris Olson is president of the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police. He notes victim advocates play a critical role in many departments.
“They're highly important, and I know they're used throughout the state in many agencies. Those folks who have access to them are very appreciative of the work they do.”
Herod encourages anyone who is interested to contact their local emergency services to find out if there is a need for volunteer victim advocates. She adds that there may be training and some long nights involved, but the rewards are well worth the sacrifice.
“I say anybody that has some free time should try it. They will be rewarded more than the people that they're helping.”
You can contact your local police or emergency services to learn more about being a victim advocate.
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February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and young people often find it hard to navigate experiences of harm.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2021, nearly 16% of Idaho youth surveyed said they had experienced sexual violence, higher than the national average of 11%.
D Dagondon Tiegs, bilingual social change associate for the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, said sexual violence is the result of imbalances in power.
"The tools that we have to prevent sexual violence within our communities is promoting communities that are welcoming of everyone, where everyone has what they need to be able to participate in their community, like school," Tiegs outlined. "So that they're not targeted and the power imbalance is mitigated."
Tiegs pointed out there are domestic and sexual violence programs across the state but more are needed, especially in rural communities. They also noted members of LGBTQIA+ communities and people of color are more likely to experience violence.
The rate of teen dating violence is likely much higher. Tiegs emphasized one of the biggest issues, especially when it comes to reporting, is young people don't feel heard.
"Young people are not likely to tell a trusted adult when they experience sexual violence," Tiegs explained. "They're more likely to tell a peer because adults dismiss the kind of dating violence that is happening with young people."
For someone who has experienced such of trauma, Tiegs stressed it is important to ask what they need and help the person reestablish their agency. They also added healing takes time.
"It's easy for us to be supportive at the beginning, but a consistent, ongoing supportive community and people who care about them because sexual violence and dating violence requires a long time to heal from," Tiegs concluded.
Disclosure: The Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence contributes to our fund for reporting on Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault, Early Childhood Education, and Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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As Kentuckians prepare for the Super Bowl this weekend, they can also help survivors of domestic violence.
At "Shop and Share," a one-day event this Saturday at Kroger, Food City and other regional grocers statewide, residents can shop for what they need and share a purchased item with their local domestic violence shelter.
Angela Yannelli, chief executive officer of ZeroV, explained while the primary focus is on safety, the group's 15 member domestic violence programs also promote survivor empowerment. She said donations of such essential items as toothbrushes and nonperishable foods are essential on the journey toward well-being and healing.
"Donations of things like cake mix, icing and decorations, for birthdays and other celebrations, bring joy into the lives of survivors who may not have been celebrated in many years, or for whom peace and joy may only come in glimpses," Yannelli observed.
Shoppers can donate at participating stores between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., although times vary by location. Anyone interested in donating or volunteering can visit zerov.org/shopandshare to find the shopping lists and contact information for their local program.
Regional shelters in the Commonwealth have provided safe havens and resources for more than 10,000 women and 6,000 children.
Yannelli emphasized donations of small items have added up to make a huge difference.
"When you think about 'Shop and Share' collectively, it's raised more than $5 million since 2008," Yannelli pointed out. "And made a positive impact in the lives of thousands of survivors and their children."
Yannelli noted Shop and Share also offers parents an opportunity to talk with their adolescents about healthy relationships this month, for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
Disclosure: ZeroV contributes to our fund for reporting on Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault, Gun Violence Prevention, Housing/Homelessness, and Women's Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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January is Stalking Awareness Month and advocates said cases of unwanted or repeated surveillance or contact, often alongside intimidation and harassment often go underreported, especially in Ohio's rural counties.
Shelby Lieber, survivor coordinator for the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, said according to the state's incident-based reporting system, agencies reported more than 1,500 cases of stalking related to 8,000 sexual assault incidents last year. Lieber pointed out the complexities around stalking can make reporting incidents to law enforcement difficult.
"Our rural counties are not reporting; they're saying it's not happening here, which we know it is happening there," Lieber observed. "Either they're not getting reported on or there's not enough evidence, because stalking in the state of Ohio is really hard to prove."
Lieber noted the Stalking Prevention, Awareness and Resource Center provides an online documentation log to help individuals keep track of every reported incident, which is especially helpful to have as evidence in a courtroom or when speaking with a first responder.
She added always err on the side of caution and call 911 or the Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline at 844-OHIO-HELP if you or someone you know feels they are in danger.
Lieber explained many survivors of sexual assault experience stalking as a form of silencing, to try to coerce them into not moving forward with legal charges. She emphasized having a safety plan is a critical tool for dealing with stalking situations and can include providing a photo of the perpetrator to employers, and making schedules unpredictable.
"If you're driving home from work, instead of taking the interstate to a certain exit that's closer to your house, could you take the interstate to an exit farther away from your house?," Lieber suggested. "Changing up that typical routine."
According to the Stalking Prevention, Awareness and Resource Center, most stalkers use technology and the internet to monitor, contact and threaten victims. Digital abuse also includes location tracking, demanding passwords and hacking into accounts. All fifty states have statutes criminalizing tech-facilitated stalking.
Disclosure: Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault, Health Issues, Women's Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
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