TORRINGTON – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Goshen County Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse is working hard to put out awareness and raise funds to help people in dangerous situations. 

Domestic violence is a very difficult topic to speak out on. So much of the time it happens behind closed doors with someone you may think you were close with. There are so many factors and circumstances which may cause danger and difficulties when a person tries to leave the situation. This is why Goshen County Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse fights to help. 

Abuse can come in so many forms and there are so many aspects to look into when leaving a domestic situation. 

“Abuse takes many forms. It can be by intimidation, emotional abuse, isolation, shifting blame, using children, using male privilege, withholding economic means. Lately here in Goshen County, we are seeing an escalation in the numbers of elders who are seeking relief from abuse situations. Students are vulnerable in that they have stepped away from the safety of homes to seek education enhancement.  Whatever the abuser uses to intimidate and abuse victims, his/her motives generally show power and control are at the center of the situation,” Bess Carnahan, Member Board of Directors for Goshen County Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, said. 

The fundraisers they hold are what they use to rely on for funding assistance. The organization is a nonprofit set up to assist people in danger.

They use these funds to provide resources for community members. When it comes to a domestic violence situation, it is important to get the person and/or their family out of the situation as quickly as possible. In order to do this, they have to find a place for the person to stay, transportation to get there, and any other necessities they require. 

“We have to pay for hotels, food, transportation, cell phone maybe, or phone calls to notify relatives all sorts of things cost and that’s what the funds go to,” Carnahan shared. 

She explained how cell phones are really expensive these days and hotels in Torrington typically cost around $100. Carnahan shared how she has also had to help people after they have been injured in a domestic violence situation. They had to help get the person to the local hospital, but unfortunately, we did not have the resources here so they had to send them to a hospital who could take proper care of the person. Sometimes, people even have pets they want to get out of the situation so the force then has to find a place to board the animal until the person/family gets somewhere safe and animal friendly. 

She says they help more people than anyone would expect. She also shared how they have gotten an increase in calls about elder abuse. 

 This month, they are working with Main Street Market for their Purple Dove Campaign. According to Michelle Powell, director of the task force, this campaign has been one of their most successful fundraisers. In the checkout line, cashiers should offer people the opportunity to donate to the task force and purchase one of the purple doves they have on display at the front of the store. Carnahan said they are very pleased to be working with Main Street Market. 

They also have an outreach office at Eastern Wyoming College (EWC). They get a lot of cases from EWC in a year. Sometimes around four a month. For this reason, they also will have a silent witness display set up in the school. Carnahan writes stories for the displays to raise awareness on their displays. There will be someone to speak to and things for the students to use for school. 

From there, the display will move to the Edward Jones window on Main Street. 

“Statistics show that every 10 seconds, a victim is abused. Those are the numbers we know about. Unfortunately, those statistics also apply to Goshen County.  It is hard to believe that in our small town where we all know each other that these crimes stay hidden. October is the month when we strive to bring this silent crime to the attention of the public,” Powell said.

There are a number of things going on in Goshen County in order to raise awareness for domestic violence. 

“In Torrington, Barrel Racers are putting on a fundraiser race to ‘End the Abuse’ of Domestic Violence. On October 19, at the Goshen County Fairgrounds, the racers are staging a race that offers all classes of barrel racing, from Exhibition and Peewee Races to races that offer serious prizes in the form of custom belt buckles and cash. This is an opportunity for racers at all levels to join in the fun and fundraising,” Carnahan shared.

For information on the races, entry fees and other questions, contact Nikki Davis at 307-575-4723. All proceeds go to the Goshen County Task Force on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault.

If you are in an abusive relationship or know someone who is in need of help, call the Goshen County Task Force at 307-532-2118. All calls and contacts are strictly confidential and free of charge.