Resources
Serving La Plata and San Juan Counties, the mission of Alternative Horizons is to provide support and alternatives to survivors of domestic violence and their families while striving to strengthen our community through education and prevention outreach.
Stats, Facts & Warning Signs
The most current statistics related to domestic violence can be found here
Domestic violence occurs within all groups, socioeconomic levels, religions, backgrounds, genders, and cultures.
Domestic violence, sometimes referred to as intimate-partner violence, is not simply about violence. It is a systematic pattern of power and control exerted by one person over another that can result in many forms and degrees of intrusiveness and aggression, including emotional, verbal, financial, sexual, and physical, as well as stalking behaviors.
Abuse can persist, and may escalate, after one person has acted to end a relationship.
Abuse does not always include physical violence and assault; when it does, there may be no outward signs of injury.
Warning signs of domestic violence vary widely, and can be hard to spot if it happens gradually or if a person experiencing abuse is particularly isolated. Visit this site for more information.
Victimization occurs in all types of relationships and, despite a common misconception, is not limited to cisgender female victims in heterosexual relationships.
The effects of trauma caused by domestic abuse and violence can last a lifetime and persist across generations. Knowledgeable help and support can help survivors and their children move beyond the effects of trauma and forge safe, stable lives.
If it is safe, reach out to our hotline to receive knowledgeable help and support: 970-247-9619.
How To Help Someone Who Is Being Abused
Listen. Believe. You may the first person they have trusted to tell.
Tell your friend or loved one that abuse is not their fault and that no one deserves to be abused.
Don’t assume that leaving is the best and safest choice, as violence can escalate when a person leaves an abusive relationship.
Let your friend or loved one know that help, including our confidential hotline, is available 24/7/365 at 970-946-9619.
Let your friend or loved one know that AH can confidentially discuss resources and safety planning strategies tailored to their individual experiences and needs.
Diverse Populations
Domestic violence occurs within marginalized and underserved populations, sometimes at a higher rate than within the general population. Abusive partners in these relationships use many of the same tactics to gain power and control within the relationship, but there are also tactics that are unique to the specific relationship: an abuser in a same-sex relationship may threaten their partner with “outing,” an abuser in a relationship with a person who is undocumented may threaten their partner with reporting to authorities, an abuser in a relationship with a person of color may play on understandable concerns about police to prevent their partner from reporting the abuse, abusers in relationships with Native persons – whether they themselves are Native or not – will often claim that abuse is “traditional,” when it isn’t.
Often incidents that involve members of a marginalized or underserved population are not reported. Whether an incident is reported to the police is up to the individual survivor, but we can still help. Our free and completely confidential services are available to any person who has experienced domestic violence, whether or not a report to the police has been made.
Alternative Horizons strives to extend culturally-sensitive, relevant, and trauma-informed care to traditionally underserved survivors who face barriers in accessing and using domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking survivor services. This includes survivors who are underserved due to their geographic location, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, language, differences in abilities, immigration status, and age.
Alternative Horizons is a safe-space into which all are welcome. Alternative Horizons has the ability to access interpreters to allow advocates to speak with a survivor in the language in which they feel most comfortable. Call our 24/7/365 hotline to seek advocacy, counseling, supportive services, or just an understanding listener: 970-247-9619.
National Domestic Violence Hotline (incluye ayuda para victimas de violencia domestica en espanol): 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
LGBT National Help Center: 1-888-843-4564
StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483)
Resources – Alternative Horizons
ADWAS: Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services
https://www.thehotline.org/
Safety Planning
What is a safety plan?
A safety plan is a practical, personalized plan to help you, your children, and your pets be safer in potentially unstable, dangerous situations. It’s adaptable to changes in your situation and needs.
Safety planning helps you begin the process of taking back rightful control of your life and well-being. It takes into account your safety in various environments — home, work, school, vehicle, electronic safety, etc. — as well as incorporating an escape plan.
Because an abuser’s behavior may escalate and become more dangerous when a relationship is threatened or ending, always be prepared to call 911 and leave for your safety.
Resources for help and support around safety planning
General Safety Planning Resources:
- Safety Planning Checklist
- RUSafe – a free, interactive iPhone/Android app for danger assessment and domestic-violence shelter/hotline contacts in your area.
- Keeping Your Pets Safe
Digital safety resources: