SLC District Attorney’s Office, abuse survivor speak on domestic violence
Support for victims and survivors of domestic violence is available 24/7: 1-800-897-LINK (5465). If you or someone else is in immediate danger or an emergency, please call 911 immediately.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Today, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office held an event today to discuss domestic violence.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a subject that may hit home for Utahns who know or have experienced abuse. According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, there were over 13,000 incidents of domestic violence in 2023 throughout the state.
Additionally, law enforcement responded and filled out 11,155 Intimate Partner Violence Lethality Assessment Protocols (LAPs), in which they assessed the potential danger to victims experiencing intimate partner violence. 63% of those reports were assessed as potentially lethal.
“Domestic violence affects more than just individuals; it affects families and our entire community. We therefore must respond as a community. Our office is committed to working hand-in-hand with law enforcement and community partners to ensure survivors are supported, children are protected, and offenders are held accountable. This is not just a legal issue, it is a moral one, and we all have a role to play,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill.
In 2019, 4,164 domestic violence cases were submitted to the Salt Lake County DA’s Office, and 2,566 cases were filed. While the number of cases (4,093) submitted was relatively similar by 2024, the number of cases filed (2,803) increased.
Domestic Violence statistics in Utah (Courtesy: Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office)
According to the DA’s office, “this narrowing gap suggests that law enforcement and prosecutors are working more closely to ensure that cases are stronger and more complete when they are submitted for review.”
Additionally, with funding from a U.S. Department of Justice grant, the Salt Lake County DA’s Office has been able to increase training in domestic violence and improve the development of domestic violence-related cases.
During today’s event, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s (DA) Office reaffirmed its commitment to those who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence in Salt Lake County.
DA Sim Gill emphasized the impact of domestic violence on children. Reportedly, in 2024, there were 847 misdemeanor charges and 332 felony charges filed for committing domestic violence in the presence of a child.
“Trauma manifests itself in difficult ways as they grow,” He said, “And trauma is generationally passed in families from one generation to the next generation, and if we are truly going to make an impact, we need to come up with strategies on how to disrupt that.”
Gill also referenced Camp HOPE, which is a program for children and teens who were exposed to domestic violence.
Domestic Violence Survivor Speaks
At today’s event, Olivia, a survivor of domestic violence, spoke about her experience.
“It’s never as simple or as easy as just leaving,” Olivia said about her experience, “I tried to understand why it would get to that point. People who love you don’t put their hands on you.” She recalled that her husband promised change that would never come and blamed her for his actions.
“I knew I wasn’t going to survive that relationship, and I had to get out,” Olivia said. She called 911 and learned of the variety of resources available for abuse victims in Salt Lake County. “I know I could get through it, which helped build my confidence back up.
Olivia also gave tips for those who might be in an abusive relationship right now.
“If you see that repetitive pattern and you see it getting worse and worse, try to find a safe spot. It’s when you realize it’s not going to change, it’s going to get worse and worse, that’s when you find an out,” she shared.
Her “out” was work, a place where she knew she was safe. Olivia was at work when she called 911 and reported the abuse, which provided space from her abuser when he found out.
Photos of the Domestic Violence Event (Courtesy: Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office)
Abuse, Olivia mentioned, is not always clear to anyone outside of the relationship, but if you do notice worrying patterns in a friend’s or family’s relationship, the best thing to do is to reach out and to keep reaching out.
“Just keeping in contact…reach out to them every day, say ‘Hey, want to go out and grab some food, do you want to go get your mind off things?’ Even just talking about something different to get [their] mind off of it for a quick second,” Olivia said, “When you’re going through the process, it’s so hard every day. It’s hard to get out of bed, it’s hard to eat, it’s hard to show up for yourself, and so just check on them every day.”
Finally, Olivia provided a message of hope: “If you’re like me and didn’t think there was a way out, I’m here to try to give you the strength and hope to do so, for men and women going through an abusive relationship.”