CDHS increases safe access to services for survivors of domestic violence

DENVER (Oct. 24, 2024) — The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) is committed to making sure that survivors of domestic violence, as well as their children and families, are able to safely get the services and resources they need in order to thrive.

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity to uplift the voices of survivors and supporters and engage in a national conversation about this important topic,” said CDHS Executive Director Michelle Barnes. “Conversations help raise awareness; increase support, prevention and volunteer efforts; and deepen community engagement.”

Anyone, regardless of gender, race or background, can experience domestic violence. According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey report from Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, about 41% of women and 26% of men have experienced some form of violence from an intimate partner.

The Domestic Violence Program (DVP) within CDHS provides funds to Violence Free Colorado, the statewide coalition against domestic violence, for training and technical assistance. CDHS also funds 46 local organizations that provide free, confidential services including crisis intervention, safety planning, case management, counseling and emergency shelter to survivors of domestic violence. These organizations include Hilltop in Grand Junction, SafeHouse Denver and TESSA in Colorado Springs. From October 2022 to September 2023, DVP-funded organizations answered more than 65,000 domestic violence crisis calls and helped nearly 21,000 people.

CDHS also supports sexual violence intervention services through funding for the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, as well as contracts with 15 organizations across the state. They include The Blue Bench in the Denver metro area, Pueblo Rape Crisis Services and TESSA in Colorado Springs. Between Feb. 1 and Dec. 31 of 2023, these organizations responded to 3,529 crisis calls and served 2,085 residential and non-residential clients.

In September 2022, the Office of Child Support Services within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded Safe Access for Victims’ Economic Security (SAVES) grants to child support programs in Colorado, along with 11 other states. These federal grants help survivors of domestic violence who need child support services but may be afraid to access services because of safety concerns. The Office of Child Support Services also awarded a cooperative agreement to Colorado to set up a SAVES Center that provides training and support nationally for these programs to assist domestic violence survivors.

As part of the SAVES grant, Colorado’s Division of Child Support Services within CDHS formed an advisory board with professionals, advocates and survivors. The board will review child support procedures to make sure survivor experiences are prioritized.

“It’s empowering to use my experience to help others through this grant,” said a survivor of domestic violence who serves on the advisory board. “It’s important to know that we’re not alone and that asking for help is okay.”

Learn more about the SAVES grants from the Office of Child Support Services.

Learn more about Domestic Violence Awareness Month from the Domestic Violence Awareness Project.

• For local support in Colorado, visit Violence Free Colorado or the Rose Andom Center.

Need help?
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, free and confidential support is available 24/7. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.7233 or visit thehotline.org.