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Domestic Violence Awareness Month reminds victims to reach out for help

Advocates of Routt County offers resources for those in abusive situations

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Routt County.
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is an important reminder to seek help in an abusive relationship or when facing a mental health crisis. Advocates of Routt County, an organization based in the Yampa Valley providing services to people suffering from domestic violence, wants people to know that they’re not alone.

Calls to Advocates’ Safe Line, which is a 24/7 confidential service that puts survivors in contact with a trained Advocate, are increasing. In 2022, the organization received 332 calls, and in 2023, that number grew to 394 calls. As of this month, 353 calls have been made in 2024. The majority of these calls deal with domestic violence; however they also concern sexual assault, sex trafficking and stalking. 

When it comes to reaching out for help, there’s no right or wrong way. Speaking up about an abusive situation is often extremely challenging, and the first thing Advocates want people to know is that a survivor does not have to leave their partner to receive help. 



However, if a survivor is thinking of leaving an abusive partner, it’s crucial to have a support system that can offer protection and security.

“Leaving an abusive relationship can be the most dangerous time in the process of seeking help,” said Hannah Kaufmann, Advocates program director. “Taking power back can be extremely difficult. I encourage anyone thinking about leaving their partner to reach out to us so we can develop a safety plan.” 



Safety is a top priority for Advocates of Routt County, but so is respect and understanding. That’s why the organization follows the survivor’s lead when it comes to contacting police for help.

“We don’t work with law enforcement unless someone wants us to,” said Kaufmann. “No one is forced to report anything. All of our services are empowerment-based because we believe the survivor is the expert in their own life.”

Domestic violence survivors are not the only people affected by an abusive partner. People close to the victim can also experience challenges in knowing what is going on, but feel unable to help.

Kaufmann stated that believing a loved one’s experiences is the first step toward helping them, but change won’t happen overnight.

It takes on average seven to 11 attempts to leave an abusive partner before a victim successfully gets away, according to Advocates of Routt County. It may be difficult to see a loved one return to an abusive partner, but it’s important to give them consistent support.

“Domestic violence can be very isolating,” Kaufmann said. “It’s important to help a loved one feel like they’re not alone in their situation and that they will come out the other side.”

Advocates of Routt County encourage people to reach out to a loved one who is experiencing domestic violence and talk with them about seeking help. A good place to start is encouraging them to call the 24/7 Safe Line.

But seeking help doesn’t end with Advocates of Routt County. Survivors of domestic violence are three times more likely to develop a major depressive disorder and four times more likely to attempt suicide, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. It’s crucial to address mental health in a domestic violence situation, not just physical safety.

However, anyone struggling with mental health issues, regardless of if they are in a situation involving domestic violence, should reach out for help.  

Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide is a not-for profit organization with a mission to preserve, protect and promote life by raising awareness and providing a lifeline of support and healing in the Yampa Valley. The organization offers a wide variety of resources including counseling, therapy and programs. 

Whether dealing with an abusive relationship or mental health struggles, it’s crucial to seek help before a situation escalates.

For more mental health resources in Routt County, visit Co.Routt.Co.Us/810/Mental-Health-Resources

REPS is not a crisis center. If you are in a crisis, call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text “TALK” to 38255.

To reach Advocates of Routt County’s Safe Line, call 970-879-8888.

Advocates of Routt County cannot and will not comment on knowledge about any specific incidents of violence or people involved in order to protect client confidentiality.


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