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Summit County, CO Colorado
SUMMIT COUNTY - When *Joan jumped in to save her son from an aggressive argument, she quickly became the victim of a violent attack that left her hands ripped apart and covered in blood and her world in a state of upheaval.
Her husband, *John, rushed her to the hospital and the attacker was picked up by the police as he tried to escape, but that was only the beginning. Since that summer day, the family has been dealing with the mental and physical aftermath as well as trying to navigate the legal system to protect themselves from future harm.
"When something like this happens, you don't know what to do," said John, who is incredibly thankful Summit County has a non-profit organization that assists trauma victims.
While at the hospital, police told the couple about Advocates for Victims of Assault, a group that helped the family understand their options, deal with the emotional situation and essentially walk with them every step of the way.
"Really what happens with the Advocates is they lead you and support you," Joan said.
Amy Jackson, of the Advocates, worked with the couple through the process, helping them get a protective order and attending all the court and legal proceedings that only recently ended in a jail sentence.
And still, the ordeal is not over. The attacker, who was someone Joan and her family befriended, won't be in jail for long and the fear he created may never completely go away.
For days following the assault, Joan wasn't able to sleep. She felt betrayed and afraid that the man their family had opened their door to and trusted may come after her again.
"For you to be in your house and have someone come to your house and assault you, to have so much hate," she said shaking her head as she trailed off. "It completely changed how I think about other people."
However, Jackson and the Advocates made coping with everything and figuring out the process easier, the couple said.
"She was so diligent," Joan said of Jackson.
Joan's husband added that he was impressed with the emotional support Jackson offered his wife, how she listened and how sensitive she was.
"Really, truly I want to thank them very much," Joan said. "They understand. They are willing to give us all their support... I don't know how to express my gratitude to them."
"You don't think stuff like this could happen to you," she added.
John said, "But believe it or not, sometimes it does."
The Advocates
The Advocates for Victims of Assault is one of the local non-profit groups that will receive funds collected during the Summit Daily News' Holiday Fund Drive.
The organization formed in 1979 to help domestic violence victims, said executive director Sarah Vaine. They have since expanded to handle sexual assault and any trauma call including car accidents, deaths, suicides. The Advocates have a safe house for women and children and a transitional housing unit, they offer emergency financial assistance and free counseling. They also help victims work through the legal system and are available 24 hours a day, Vaine said.
Additionally, advocates do educational work in the schools, talking about the dynamics of relationships and non-violent conflict resolution.
The organization has a small staff and many volunteers, Vaine said. About 40 volunteers handle the bulk of crisis calls, she added.
Money they receive from the Holiday Fund will go toward counseling services and emergency financial assistance for clients, Vaine said.
Joan said, "You don't know how busy they are. Amy's cell phone is like non-stop... You don't think about this until something happens to you."
Due to the sensitive nature of this case, the victims' names were changed to protect their identity.
Help grow the Holiday Fund
Advocates for Victims of Assault is one of the local nonprofit groups that will receive funds collected during the Summit Daily News' Holiday Fund Drive. This
is the second in a series of stories over the next several weeks about several of the agencies that receive money from the fund.
The fund was established five years ago. The holiday season was chosen because it's often when agencies' resources are taxed the most.
Donations will be accepted through Dec. 31. Individuals or organizations can send a check to: Holiday Fund, Summit Daily News, P.O. Box 329, Frisco, CO 80443. Or donations can be made in person at the newspaper offices at 40 W. Main St., in Frisco. Donors can also designate a specific agency to receive their gift.
Lory Pounder can be reached at (970) 668-4628, or at lpounder@summitdaily.com.
SUMMIT COUNTY - When *Joan jumped in to save her son from an aggressive argument, she quickly became the victim of a violent attack that left her hands ripped apart and covered in blood and her world in a state of upheaval.
Her husband, *John, rushed her to the hospital and the attacker was picked up by the police as he tried to escape, but that was only the beginning. Since that summer day, the family has been dealing with the mental and physical aftermath as well as trying to navigate the legal system to protect themselves from future harm.
"When something like this happens, you don't know what to do," said John, who is incredibly thankful Summit County has a non-profit organization that assists trauma victims.
While at the hospital, police told the couple about Advocates for Victims of Assault, a group that helped the family understand their options, deal with the emotional situation and essentially walk with them every step of the way.
"Really what happens with the Advocates is they lead you and support you," Joan said.
Amy Jackson, of the Advocates, worked with the couple through the process, helping them get a protective order and attending all the court and legal proceedings that only recently ended in a jail sentence.
And still, the ordeal is not over. The attacker, who was someone Joan and her family befriended, won't be in jail for long and the fear he created may never completely go away.
For days following the assault, Joan wasn't able to sleep. She felt betrayed and afraid that the man their family had opened their door to and trusted may come after her again.
"For you to be in your house and have someone come to your house and assault you, to have so much hate," she said shaking her head as she trailed off. "It completely changed how I think about other people."
However, Jackson and the Advocates made coping with everything and figuring out the process easier, the couple said.
"She was so diligent," Joan said of Jackson.
Joan's husband added that he was impressed with the emotional support Jackson offered his wife, how she listened and how sensitive she was.
"Really, truly I want to thank them very much," Joan said. "They understand. They are willing to give us all their support... I don't know how to express my gratitude to them."
"You don't think stuff like this could happen to you," she added.
John said, "But believe it or not, sometimes it does."
The Advocates
The Advocates for Victims of Assault is one of the local non-profit groups that will receive funds collected during the Summit Daily News' Holiday Fund Drive.
The organization formed in 1979 to help domestic violence victims, said executive director Sarah Vaine. They have since expanded to handle sexual assault and any trauma call including car accidents, deaths, suicides. The Advocates have a safe house for women and children and a transitional housing unit, they offer emergency financial assistance and free counseling. They also help victims work through the legal system and are available 24 hours a day, Vaine said.
Additionally, advocates do educational work in the schools, talking about the dynamics of relationships and non-violent conflict resolution.
The organization has a small staff and many volunteers, Vaine said. About 40 volunteers handle the bulk of crisis calls, she added.
Money they receive from the Holiday Fund will go toward counseling services and emergency financial assistance for clients, Vaine said.
Joan said, "You don't know how busy they are. Amy's cell phone is like non-stop... You don't think about this until something happens to you."
Due to the sensitive nature of this case, the victims' names were changed to protect their identity.
Help grow the Holiday Fund
Advocates for Victims of Assault is one of the local nonprofit groups that will receive funds collected during the Summit Daily News' Holiday Fund Drive. This
is the second in a series of stories over the next several weeks about several of the agencies that receive money from the fund.
The fund was established five years ago. The holiday season was chosen because it's often when agencies' resources are taxed the most.
Donations will be accepted through Dec. 31. Individuals or organizations can send a check to: Holiday Fund, Summit Daily News, P.O. Box 329, Frisco, CO 80443. Or donations can be made in person at the newspaper offices at 40 W. Main St., in Frisco. Donors can also designate a specific agency to receive their gift.
Lory Pounder can be reached at (970) 668-4628, or at lpounder@summitdaily.com.
