Book drive for the community helps victims of intimate partner violence

Advocacy and Resource Center Executive Director Yvonne Swanson and victim’s advocate Charlie Falkis made an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to help bring much needed awareness to intimate partner violence and give the community a manner in which to help.  

Swanson and her team at the Advocacy and Resource Center encourage walk-ins, hold meetings in safe areas, assist victims to escape their abusers and help many people every year that have not reported the violence to authorities, or live in a household where the abuse is kept a secret. 

A recent Domestic Violence Awareness Month event in Sheridan brought attention to those who have lost their lives in Wyoming to intimate partner violence, shedding light on a harsh reality. 

Y. Swanson

Falkis said many people he speaks with want to help but may not be aware of how to make an impact.

C. Falkis

One technique is education and awareness. According to Falkis Sheridan Stationary has graciously offered to assist the Advocacy and Resource with book drives for awareness months.

Falkis said these drives are essential in providing victims with books that can help in their healing and provide them with up to date information. 

The QR code provided with this story will lead people to a book wish list. Once someone in the community orders one of the books, it is delivered to Sheridan Stationary. The Advocacy and Resource center then picks them up and ensures it makes it to those who need it most.

According to the Sheridan Police Department, over the past five years, the SPD has responded to an average of 96 calls involving intimate partners yearly. There were 74 incidents in 2023. Also over those five years, the SPD averaged 46 domestic violence arrests, these arrests are for offenses such as battery, aggravated assault, and strangulation. In 2023, the SPD made 34 arrests involving these offenses. 

If you need assistance, click here or call the Advocacy and Resource Center at 307-672-3222. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or notify the Sheridan Police Department at 307-672-2413.