A 2023 study performed by the Utah State University Women & Leadership Project found that ”One in three Utah women will experience some form of contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in her lifetime.” Adding on to this, the study found that within Utah,” Only 25.6% firmly agreed domestic violence is a problem in Utah.”

Looking to battle this domestic violence crisis while also supporting local resources, the Domestic Violence Coalition of Carbon County strives to help those impacted by these crimes. As such, they have been selected as Castle Country Radio’s February Charity of the Month.

Jenni Olson from the coalition joined the KOAL newsroom to discuss the organization’s role in combating domestic violence and the resources it offers.

“The coalition was formed to support victims in gaining independence from their abusive situations, and we’re a group of people that are working toward that goal,” explained Olson. “What we do is the shelter that we have here in Carbon County that serves Carbon and Emery Counties is a state-run agency and they cannot accept direct cash donations. So we are a 501c3, and our group can accept those cash donations. In addition, the shelter can receive other donations that they need to support their clients.”

Olson discussed how the coalition operates in its goal to support those impacted by domestic violence,” what we do is if a client needs services, then they are assessed usually either by someone at the shelter or we have two ladies that are part of our coalition. We have Denna Fausett with the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office. She’s a victim advocate. We also have Debbie Worley. She’s the victim advocate for Price City. And then if there is an unmet need, they can make a request to the coalition, and based on that need, we will look at that and we’ll see if another agency can fill that need, and then if not, then we take the steps to fill that need.”

To contact the coalition, Olson advised,” They can always contact me or they could contact Denna (Fausett) at the Sheriff’s Office or Debbie (Worley) at Price City.”

You can contact Olson by phone at 749-1205, Fausett at 435-636-3250 and Worley at 435-636-3176.

In closing, Olson shared,” There’s just so many ways that you can donate. For example, we can always use Smith’s or Walmart gift cards for things like prescriptions or fuel. Also, our shelter is always in need of cleaning items, such as mops, brooms, laundry supplies or laundry baskets, kitchen stuff like pots and pans, dishes, utensils and anything that could help a client rebuild their lives when they’re moving into their own place. Sometimes the shelter needs things such as a high chair, a baby bouncer, a swing or a walker. They also can use outdoor kid toys. There’s just lots of things that we can use and by contacting one of us, we can help you facilitate that donation.” 

Castle Country Radio would like to thank the Domestic Violence Coalition of Carbon County for its hard work in supporting domestic violence survivors in our community. If you would like to learn more about how to get involved, be on the lookout for the coalition’s domestic violence training on April 17.