Utah domestic violence advocates see summer increase in calls

WEST JORDAN — Domestic violence advocates in Utah said summer often brings an increase in calls for help, with more survivors reaching out for services during school breaks and warmer months.

Support Voices of Survivors, a nonprofit organization that provides shelter and support services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, said its staff typically sees higher demand during the summer and around the holidays.

“We do get more calls during the summer and around the holidays,” Rob Roake, of the organization, said. “We get more people reaching out for services.”

Some possible factors include school being out and warmer temperatures.

Being here and seeing some of the positive change and seeing some of the smiles that can come with being in a sanctuary and feeling safe is really inspiring.”

Rob Roak with Support Voices of Survivors

Roake said many people arrive at the organization during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

“When people get here, it’s usually at a pretty terrible moment in their life,” he said.

But Roake wants survivors to know help is available around the clock.

“If you show up here and say that you’re a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault, we will take you in,” he said.

The Support Voices of Survivors shelter in West Jordan has 53 beds spread across 13 rooms. Roake said the shelter is often at capacity, with children making up about half of those staying there. Staff work to create a safe and welcoming environment for families, especially young children who may not fully understand the circumstances that brought them to the shelter.

“Our goal really, especially with the young kids, is that they don’t need to understand fully everything about their change of environment,” Roake said. “Sometimes it feels a little bit more like a vacation for them. They get to hang out with other kids. But they’ve got trauma, too.”

In addition to emergency shelter, Support Voices of Survivors offers an advocacy center, a children’s learning center and support groups designed to help survivors rebuild their lives.

“It takes time,” Roake said. “Just like it would take you and I trying to turn aspects of our life around and really be in control and have agency again.”

For Roake, seeing the progress survivors make is a reminder of the effect those services can have.

“Being here and seeing some of the positive change and seeing some of the smiles that can come with being in a sanctuary and feeling safe is really inspiring,” he said.

Advocates said anyone experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault should know that support is available and that they do not have to face those challenges alone. Donations of food, clothing, supplies and gift cards to Support Voices of Survivors can be made on their website.

Domestic violence resources

Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting:

• Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Utah’s confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
• YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
• Utah’s statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233