Domestic Violence. It’s one of those taboo topics people don’t like to speak of but should. Did you know that, according to a recent study by the CDC, one in three women and one in seven men in Utah will experience some form of domestic violence? Here’s another crazy number for you, 40 percent of all homicides in the state are related to domestic violence. Local Charities like the YCC Family Crisis Center are helping communities to speak out, and victims and survivors get the assistance they need.
Save and Change Lives
The YCC is a family crisis center that has been serving Northern Utah communities for more than 74 years. YCC provides services to victims of domestic violence, homelessness, rape and sexual assault. Their mission statement is: To “Save and Change Lives” by providing support, and to enhance the quality of life for all women, children, and families, with opportunities and education to achieve goals and find hope on the road to self-sufficiency.
The YCC’s doors are open 24/7, 365 days of the year. Unfortunately domestic abuse, sexual assault, and homelessness, doesn’t take a break or go on vacation, it happens at any given time, anywhere, and everywhere. It happens regardless of gender, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. With statistics like one in three women and one in seven men, chances are we know someone who could use the services of YCC. Some of the services YCC offers are: Child Care, Crisis Shelter, Domestic Violence Victim Assistance, Family Enrichment, Homeless Housing Assistance, Legal Advice, Outreach, Sexual Assault Education and Prevention, Sexual Assault Recovery, and Senior Life Care. YCC also works closely with police officers and first responders. All services at YCC are confidential, free, and available in both English and Spanish.
The Work Will Always Continue
Last year, the crisis shelter offered 202 women, 27 men, and 171 children safe refuge. 985 individuals received some type of advocacy assistance, 306 rape and sexual assault victims were provided for with 299 on scene responses and 872 hours of free therapy, 177 people utilized YCC’s outreach program, and 524 people walked in during a crisis seeking assistance.
In speaking with YCC they said, “Although our services have expanded to meet the growing needs of our community, we still have several unmet needs. One of the largest barriers to long term success for survivors is affordable housing. We provide case management and financial assistance upon leaving the crisis shelter to secure a stable living environment; however, affordable housing is difficult to find in our service area.
Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault are often leveraging all of their resources and support to maintain safety for themselves and their children. We often find that events such as the recent government shutdown, impact these individuals who are in a fragile state, to a greater degree than they impact the general public.”
One of the most important things that YCC offers victims and survivors is hope.
As we speak, educate, hold people accountable for their words and actions, stand up for, and support others, we start to change our world, and we can begin taking steps towards eradicating domestic violence and sexual assault. What a beautiful world that would be and I believe that is what we all hope for.
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