As a statewide leader in the movement against domestic violence, Violence Free Colorado is committed to assisting the media to accurately and responsibly cover all issues concerning domestic violence. Check out Violence Free Colorado’s Media Guide today!

Colorado Domestic Violence Data Sources and Research Projects

For media inquiries, please email or call:

Monica Rivera, Executive Director

mrivera@nullviolencefreeco.org

Roshan Kalantar, Associate Director
303.831.9632 ext. 824
rkalantar@nullviolencefreeco.org

Hannah Colter, Community Impact Specialist
303.962.3322
hcolter@nullviolencefreeco.org

Violence Free Colorado was established in 1977 as a nonprofit statewide membership program.  Members include domestic violence service providers and community members.

Violence Free Colorado strives to end relationship abuse by taking bold, courageous actions and leading in partnership with survivors, heeding their experiences, and amplifying their voices. As Colorado’s state domestic violence coalition, we shape public policy, mobilize communities to act, and build the capacity of community-based programs to address the needs of survivors of relationship violence and advocate on their behalf.

Learn more about the Coalition by visiting our About Us page.

Violence Free Colorado In the News: Archive

January 28, 2019, The Journal: Government shutdown exposes domestic violence funding woes

January 10, 2019, Politico: Survivors of domestic violence, child abuse could be hit next by shutdown

December 20, 2018, The Colorado Springs Gazette: Domestic violence in El Paso County: Leaders, advocates say small steps can equal big change

December 3, 2018, CPR: Accuser-Released Letter Casts New Light On Jovan Melton Domestic Violence Allegations

November 29, 2018, Insider: 9 subtle signs of emotional abuse you could be missing

August 17, 2018, HuffPost: Shanann Watts’ Picture-Perfect Marriage On Facebook Was Anything But

March 20, 2018, PNS: Study Links Domestic Violence to Mass Shootings

April 27, 2017, Fox31: Domestic violence survivors want some mandatory reporting laws repealed

March 13, 2017, The Denverite: A father wonders: Could Denver police have prevented Kayla Burke’s death?

February 27, 2017, 9News: Man in deadly domestic violence case shouldn’t have had gun

February 15, 2017, Fox31: Advocates hope spike in domestic violence deaths brings quick changes

February 9, 2017, CBS4: CBS4 To Former CU Coach: ‘Did You Beat That Woman?’

September 18, 2016, Denver7: DV victim says police offered movie tickets after failing to arrest accused attacker

August 20, 2016, 9News Balance of Power: Problems and Solutions of Domestic Violence

August 16, 2016, Littleton Independent: LPD opens internal investigation of officer

June 30, 2016, 9News: Help Available for Domestic Violence Victims

June 29, 2016, Denver Post: What we know about the Wynkoop shooting victim and her estranged husband who pulled the trigger

May 24, 2016, Fox31: DU, Metro State rank high for offensive comments about women online 

By accurately covering domestic violence homicides, journalists and news outlets have the opportunity to make a significant difference in helping the community understand how domestic violence can go unchecked and unrecognized as a problem until it escalates to an extreme and often tragic level.

The following are ways to enhance coverage of domestic violence.

Seek sources beyond law enforcement and neighbors/friends. They may only tell part of the story.
• Domestic violence advocates, including Violence Free Colorado Staff, are legitimate sources that can supplement and balance comments from law enforcement and/or friend and family of the story subjects
• If a quote or statement is confusing or unclear, ask an anti-domestic violence expert to clarify.
• For example, if a neighbor tells you, “I’ve never hear them fight before. They seemed like a perfect couple.” A DV advocate may help to explain that domestic violence is more than just physical violence and loud fights. DV is a pattern of controlling behavior that others, even close family members, may not know about, especially since abusers often isolate their victims from social relationships.
Use active voice to describe the violence. Passive voice makes the abuser invisible, and fails to make explicit that there was a person responsible for harming the victim.

For example: Instead of “the victim was attacked by her husband,” write “the victim’s husband attacked her” (or “victim/police report that Mrs. Smith’s husband attacked her, causing [describe harm]”)

Relationship abuse is a choice made by the perpetrator. It is not the result of someone “snapping,” nor is it a “crime of passion.” These stereotypes remove accountability from the perpetrator and remove a single incident of violence from the greater context of a pattern of abuse and control.