Rising rents make it harder for some domestic violence survivors to escape
Sep 17, 2022, 10:52 PM | Updated: 10:56 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah’s tough housing market can raise the cost of escaping domestic violence as advocates held a fundraiser on Saturday to help survivors with those costs.
The Louder Together benefit concert, organized by Fight Against Domestic Violence, was held at Sugar Space Arts Warehouse. The event started as a private backyard fundraiser a few years ago, and it just kept growing.
“Our particular programs help survivors with security deposits, application fees, background checks, utilities,” said Brooke Muir, the nonprofit’s executive director.
The organization launched a housing first program in 2020, and FADV also administers a flex funds program to help with other expenses people may incur when leaving an abusive relationship.
“We’ve on our end seen an increase in the cost of those security deposits and the cost of rent,” Muir explained.
This month’s funding had run out by the second week.
“I think it also shows the demand that there is statewide,” Muir said, “, particularly in our rural communities like Moab and Blanding, Cedar City, Tooele. Those communities that have a harder time finding resources.”
One in three Utah women will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime, according to FADV. So will one in seven men.
The funding has helped more than 500 Utah families so far this year. Those needing help can reach out to the roughly 20 domestic violence providers statewide listed on the nonprofit’s website.
Sexual Assault Hotlines
If you have experienced sexual violence, you can access help and resources by calling Utah’s 24-hour Sexual Violence Helpline at 1-888-421-1100. You can also call the Rape Recovery Center Crisis Line at 801-467-7273 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for free, confidential counseling.
