Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Denver Police Chief Paul M. Pazen and Cecelia Dunn, a brave domestic violence survivor, gathered this week to discuss the importance of shining a light on domestic violence. With October being National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, city officials discussed why it is an important time to talk about the dangers of domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, and the resources available for victims.
“Domestic violence is never justified, which is why I ask anyone who is experiencing abuse from a current or former partner to seek help – because help is available and ready to support anyone who needs it,” Mayor Hancock said. “Intimate partner violence can affect any family – my own family has felt the pain of loss from domestic violence – and it impacts all of us. We’re here to provide those who suffer at the hands of abusers options and assistance for a safe and better quality of life.”
The creation of the Rose Andom Center, which opened in 2016 and has helped more than 2,300 survivors since, provides a comprehensive approach to assisting victims of domestic violence. At the Rose Andom Center, survivors can receive legal advice, file police reports, learn about options for custody, file restraining orders, and access financial assistance all while utilizing free child care, in a safe and caring environment. In addition to the many victim-focused partners housed at the Rose Andom Center, the Denver Police Department dedicates 11 detectives, two sergeants and one lieutenant to provide law enforcement services, and access to Denver Police Victims Assistants.
“Preventing domestic violence is a top priority for the Denver Police Department,” said Chief Pazen. “Through collaborating with our partners, we will identify and address triggers of domestic violence with the goal of preventing it from occurring or reoccurring.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one in four adult women and approximately one in seven adult men report having experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. Therefore, in an effort to “shine a light” on domestic violence, Denver’s City and County Building will be illuminated in purple from October 1st through the 7th. With the illumination of the building, Denver encourages those suffering at the hands of an intimate partner to start taking steps to receiving help. There are many people and resources available to support survivors along their path to a life without fear.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline states that there may be warning signs that a partner is or has abusive tendencies. If someone is displaying some or all of the following behaviors, their partner is encouraged to contact an intimate partner violence advocate for options and/or help: Tells you that you can never do anything right; Shows extreme jealousy of your friends and time spent away; Keeps you or discourages you from seeing friends or family members; Insults, demeans or shames you with put-downs; Controls every penny spent in the household; Takes your money or refuses to give you money for necessary expenses; Looks at you or acts in ways that scare you; Controls who you see, where you go, or what you do; Prevents you from making your own decisions; or Tells you that you are a bad parent or threatens to harm or take away your children. For a comprehensive list of warning signs and/or assistance, https://www.thehotline.org or 1-800-799-7233
To learn about options or to find out more about the Rose Andom Center, 1330 Fox Street, Denver, CO, www.roseandomcenter.org
or 720-337-4400.
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