At least one woman is physically abused every fifteen seconds. Very few will tell anyone. Victims of domestic violence come from all walks of life, all cultures, all income groups, all ages and all religions. They share feelings of helplessness, isolation, guilt, fear and shame.

Are you abused? Does the person you love...

• Criticize you for little things?
• Discourage your relationships with family and friends?
• Humiliate you in front of others?
• Constantly accuse of being unfaithful?
• Follow or spy on you?
• Try to control most or all of your daily activities?
• Anger easily when drinking alcohol or taking drugs?
• Destroy personal property or sentimental items?
• Hit, punch, slap, kick, "choke/strangle" or bite you and/or the children?
• Use, or threaten to use, a weapon against you?
• Force you to engage in sex against your will?

If you answer "yes" to even a few of these questions, it's time to get help! There are no easy answers, but there are things you can do to protect yourself:

• Call the police at 9-1-1 for an emergency or (303) 651-8501 for a non-emergency. An assault, even by family members, is still a crime.
• In Longmont, you can contact the Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley, at (303) 772-4422 (24-hour crisis line) or the Longmont Ending Violence Initiative (LEVI) at (303) 774-4534.
• Get medical attention from your doctor or a hospital emergency room. Ask the medical staff to photograph your injuries and keep detailed records in case you decide to take legal action.
• Civil protection orders are available though the county court. For more information you can  access protection order forms or visit the Longmont County Court Annex at 1035 Kimbark Street, in Longmont. You are encouraged to contact the Safe Shelter or other confidential resources for assistance and advice.
• Leave the house, have someone you trust come stay with you, or go to a confidential location.
• Plan ahead and know what you will do if you are attacked again. Choose a place you will go if you decide to leave, put aside some money if you are able, and gather important paperwork such as marriage license, birth certificates, checkbooks, and insurance information. Other steps which can be helpful is to keep a hidden journal, take photographs of injuries and/or property damage, and screenshots of electronic communication and send these to a trusted friend or family member regularly.

Don't ignore the problem! Contact your family court for information about a civil protection order that doesn't involve criminal charges or penalties or talk to a friend about it. Part of the abuser's power comes from secrecy.

Resources

Longmont Police Services:

• Domestic Violence Unit Detective Brad Steinike by email or call 303-651-8937
• Domestic Violence Unit Detective Amanda Jonas by email or call 303-774-4590
• Domestic Violence Unit Detective Jocelyn McManus by email or call 303-774-4585
• The Longmont Ending Violence Initiative (LEVI) is an awareness project designed to enlist the entire community in an effort to reduce domestic violence. LEVI provides non-emergency prevention/education materials as well as referrals to domestic violence resources. To reach LEVI you can email or call (303) 774-4534.

Local agencies:

• The Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley is a local 501 (c) (3) offered to victims of domestic and dating violence: 24-hour crisis line, individual and group counseling, case management, legal advocacy, and community and peer education.

Part of the abuser's power comes from secrecy and isolation. We know that friends, relatives, and coworkers are often aware of the abuse. When this is the case, we need to inform these residents how to assist, as it is our responsibility as a community to become involved. The Longmont Public Safety's Domestic Violence Unit is an active part of a community collaboration created to change the way residents respond to domestic violence.

"Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented" - Elie Wiesel

Longmont Domestic Violence Data by Year

2024 Longmont Domestic Violence Data (in progress)

2023 Longmont Domestic Violence Data (in progress)

2022 Longmont Domestic Violence Data

2021 Longmont Domestic Violence Data

2020 Longmont Domestic Violence Data

2019 Longmont Domestic Violence Data

2018 Longmont Domestic Violence Data