In the last nine months in Weber County alone, there were 2,500 reported cases of Domestic Violence. Ogden has one of the highest numbers of reported cases of domestic violence per capita; county and statewide. Domestic violence is not something that will just go away like a bad cold. It lingers on and on until the victim gets the help they need and deserve or, worst case scenario, winds up dead.

For those who have been abused there is light at the end of the tunnel. We don’t have to wander alone in the dark anymore. The Weber County Sheriff’s Office on Domestic Violence is there for those who need support. I spoke recently with the heads of that office, Karen Sprinkel and Diana Crowder, and they gave me some alarming, informative statistics. They told me that 97% of the victims are women and children, and half of those children will repeat this abusive behavior as adults. This is where counseling comes in. If we can stop the violence from festering in these children before they grow up, maybe we can turn future abusers into understanding and caring human beings. Safety is also an essential issue for the victim, where can they go? What can they do? The first thing that needs to be done is to pick up the phone when you are abused or there is a threat of abuse and call the police. They will have an advocate come to the scene along with volunteers who will stay with you, talk to you and bring you to a safe place like the YCC. The Weber County Sheriff’s Office will also provide a free Court Advocate to help with the task of prosecution and getting the abuser or victim into counseling. All this help is available, free of charge, to everyone who is abused. The big step is to have the courage and determination to make the first phone call and to follow through in making a safe place for the abused. All calls are confidential and held within the utmost secrecy when it comes to the victim. I asked Karen if there was one point she would want to stress, and she said "Yes." "Tell people that we can make a difference in their life and that once they take that step towards seeking help, we will stand by them and do everything within our legal power to help them get their life back." So please, if you are abused, know someone who is abused, or are an abuser yourself, make a phone call, talk to Karen or Diana – they really care.

There is information and help available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, one phone call away at 801-399-8065 or 399-8152.

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