EVANSTON — “I often hear, ‘Why do we have to have awareness months?’ And to me, it’s taking a moment to acknowledge this [domestic violence] is happening,” said Uinta County Sexual Assault and Family Violence (SAFV) Task Force Director Jesse Barnes. “If you’re not in it, how much do you think about it?”

Barnes, who has been at SAFV for nine years — eight of those as an advocate, and the past year as the program director — said it’s incredible how much she continues to learn year after year. For instance, “nearly 1 million women are shot or shot at by an intimate partner. Over half a million homicides are committed with a gun, and women are five times more likely to be murdered when a partner has access to a gun,” she said.

It’s not about guns or gun control when it comes to domestic violence; it’s about power and control, which can manifest itself in multiple ways such as emotional, sexual, physical, verbal and financial abuse.

“Ninety-nine percent of abuse victims are also financially abused,” Barnes said.

Barnes said that a few years ago, there were “something like 126 protection orders granted in Uinta County, compared to 130-something for Sweetwater County, which is twice our size.”

She noted that, on average, it takes seven attempts to leave an abusive situation before the survivor is able to do so permanently.

“If you look at Wyoming’s numbers, one in three women will experience domestic violence, and those numbers are even higher for women of color.” 

Domestic violence tends to spike during the months of October through January.

“Those are harder months; things tend to be more stressful; we see more people,” added Barnes. “And one thing we’ll probably never know for sure is how many males are in a violent domestic partnership — the numbers are inaccurate due to a lack of reporting for a variety of reasons.”

Ultimately, the ripple effect of abuse can’t be measured. It’s happening in our community, whether it’s noticed or not, but it’s so pervasive that it touches everyone.

“This is our work ... educating people that this is here in our little town. Everyone knows somebody it affects,” said Barnes. “I will tell you this, though; Uinta County is very lucky when it comes to agencies. We all work together for the safety of the victim and to help them work through the trauma. Sometimes we only need to help them once; sometimes we have clients we work with for years.”

“I think there’s still a long way to go,” Barnes continued, “but, as long as people are open to learning, that’s the key — and realizing that you’re worthy of healthy relationships. It’s not just a family’s problem, we try to educate the public from a bystander’s point of view, as well. Openly talking about the taboo stuff is so important, it helps destigmatize abuse.” 

Resources offered by SAFV include a 24-hour crisis center, sheltering services, financial literacy education and guidance, and connections with various mental health agencies.

“We make sure they’re physically safe, first and foremost, then we follow their lead,” Barnes said. “We give them the tools they need, then support them moving forward. We’re constantly learning about people and not judging them.”

SAFV assists those 16 and older, but a parent is required to aid those under 18.

Barnes encourages supporters of domestic violence awareness to wear purple on Thursdays this month and participants’ pictures can be posted to the SAFV Facebook page in a show of solidarity.

SAFV has upcoming events and observation of other, related awareness months. January is Stalking Awareness Month, and Jan. 11 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is February, in which SAFV actively visits teens in local schools to talk about developing and maintaining healthy relationships .

“If something doesn’t feel right, find a trusted adult,” Barnes said.  “Always trust your intuition.”

SAFV will host the recently rescheduled Gentlemen’s Night fundraiser on March 9 at the Evanston Youth Club in an effort “to get men involved in helping stop violence,” Barnes said. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Angie Hintz, with High Country Behavioral Health, is currently hosting the SAFV fundraiser through the rest of the month in an effort to financially assist those in need of mental health counseling. You can find the online auction at Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Online Auction on Facebook.

SAFV can be contacted 24 hours a day at 307-789-3628. In addition to their Facebook page, their official website is: SAFVTaskForce.org. The Evanston office is located at the Human Services building, 350 City View Dr. Ste. 203. It’s open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5p.m. The Lyman office is at 101 E. Sage St. and is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Other local agencies that offer free and confidential support to victims of domestic violence are the Evanston Police Department victim program (307-783-6406); the Uinta County Sheriff’s Office victim program and the Uinta County Attorney’s Office victim coordinator (307-783-1037).

The National Network to End Domestic Violence can be found at: nnedv.org.  The Suicide and Crisis Hotline can be called or texted at 988.