BOZEMAN – In Gallatin County, one in three women will unfortunately become victims of domestic violence in their lifetimes.
According to HAVEN, one in seven men will also experience it.
It is a conversation that advocacy and support organizations like HAVEN in Bozeman and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department have been focusing on recently.
HAVEN executive director Erica Coyle said their effort continues to try to change the stigma, supporting survivors and holding abusers accountable. She added that HAVEN advocates spreading the word about domestic violence with more than 100 volunteers, annually, with many working as community advocates.
Coyle said many crimes continue silently, but help can start with someone as close as a family member.
“If survivors have a trusted friend or family member they can reach out to for that support, we always encourage them to do that because we really want to support them in rebuilding those social networks so that they are able to make the best decision for themselves and their family,” she said.
HAVEN has a 24-hour support line, which you can reach at (406) 586-4111.
The organization also maintains a shelter for victims, a legal advocacy team to support survivors as they file for orders of protection, and education programs.
Reporting by Cody Boyer for MTN News
