VALLEY — October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and Tu Casa, Inc. would like to invite the public to support the cause. Join this month in taking a stand, whether in silence or vocally, to end domestic violence. Throughout the month of October, Tu Casa will be raising awareness by promoting the color purple, coordinating events, and sharing information on its Facebook page. Tu Casa wants to educate everyone about the abuse and help prevent it in our community.

Tu Casa, Inc., a non-profit agency, helps individuals of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, stalking, and human trafficking. Tu Casa can help by providing services to all six counties in the San Luis Valley. Tu Casa offers a 24-hour crisis/assistance hotline that provides emergency shelter, emergency relocation, and emergency financial assistance. Tu Casa, Inc. provided services to approximately 427 people in 2016. All services are free, confidential, and available in English and Spanish. Tu Casa’s mission is to support healthy, safe, violence free lives for all children and adults in the San Luis Valley.

The purpose behind the awareness is to work together to bring mindfulness to the community to end violence. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men aged 18 and older are victims of domestic violence. Females ages 18 to 34 experienced the highest rates of intimate partner violence. On an average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical abuse or stalking by their partner. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) affects more than 12 million people each year. Domestic violence occurs in all genders, races, socioeconomic groups, religions, and so on. Many experience barriers such as being low income or not having income, family size, and language barriers when they want to seek help and/or leave an abusive relationship. Also, they may have burned bridges with their family and/or friends along with agencies.    

Domestic violence is an abuse that has been around too long and we as a community must take a stand. During the month of October, Tu Casa will hold an art display in honor of survivors at the Alamosa Public Library, promote the color purple on October 19, known as #PurpleThursday, collaborate with The Wet Paintbrush for a fundraiser on October 20, and end the month with a Zombie Run on October 28. We will also be offering purple ribbons to support the cause. Please like our Facebook page, Tu Casa, Inc., to view pictures, quotes, and statistics on DVAM. Post pictures with #PurpleThursday and #DVAM. Also, residents can donate or volunteer to help honor those who have been impacted by domestic violence.  See www.slvtucasa.net, and click on the link to donate or contact us to become a volunteer.

Domestic violence can no longer be ignored and we must work together to raise awareness and end domestic violence. If you need help or know someone who does, call our local 24 hour crisis/assistance hotline at 719-589-2465.

Caption: Tu Casa Director Patricia Lara and Mayor Josef Lucero, center, hold a proclamation that officially declares October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month along with other Tu Casa staff, law enforcement and members of the Women's Citizenship Club of Alamosa on Monday at the Alamosa Public Library. Behind them are pieces of art submitted by the community to raise awareness. Tu Casa is hosting the art at the library all month long. Courier photo by Jefferson Geiger.