Project Safeguard’s annual gala fundraiser, the Valentine’s Fling, was a huge success in 2012! Old favorites The Nacho Men and Deb Sheppard, Psychic Medium were joined by new additions host Reggie Rivers and auctioneer Debbie Stafford at the beautiful Infinity Park Event Center for a night of food, celebration, and fun!

A limo was on hand to shuttle guests from the parking lot to the venue. Guests bid on exciting packages in the Silent Auction including family adventures around Denver, nights out on the town, impressive sports memorabilia, and some of the best beer, wine and spirits all made in the Denver area. Then, guests were treated to an amazing dinner catered by Three Tomatoes. The passed hors dourves and the dinner were the talk of the evening, along with the wonderful Three Tomatoes Staff!

Reggie Rivers kept to the theme of the evening by telling hilarious stories about love and life, featuring his charming family. Debbie Stafford really got the crowd going during the Live Auction, and there were more than a few bidding wars on once-in-a-lifetime, priceless items like singing with The Nacho Men and brunch with Reggie Rivers at the elegant Elways – Cherry Creek. In fact, Reggie spontaneously ended a bidding war over that brunch by offering not one but two lucky guests the opportunity!

As always, The Nacho Men had the crowd on their feet dancing the night away. Guests were still tapping their toes as they were shuttled back to the parking lot in style, courtesy of Sunset Limos.

Thanks to the generosity of our amazing guests, we raised over $40,000 to support Project Safeguard’s programs. Stay tuned for upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.

Early bird tickets are on sale now! Click here to buy tickets now for the best deal!

Many people ask, “So why doesn’t she or he just leave”?

The question isn’t why doesn’t the victim leave; the question is, “Why does the partner abuse her”?

Some Reasons Victims Might Stay

• See no way out
• Being threatened
• To protect the children
• Religious, cultural or family beliefs would condemn him or her for not being a good spouse
• Abuser is a community leader or authority figure
• Nobody would believe him or her
• Low self-esteem
• Chances of injury or death due to domestic violence increase by 75% after a victim leaves
• Financial considerations
• Isolation from friends and family

What can you do?

• Become educated about domestic violence
• Recognize the signs
• Reach out to anyone you feel may be a victim, show your support and concern
• Listen and believe when someone talks about domestic violence
• Provide a list of community resources to individuals seeking help
• Encourage victims to use the resources to help themselves and their children
• Make others aware of the magnitude of domestic violence

What can you say?

• “I am concerned for you and your children.”
• “You didn’t/don’t cause the violence.”
• “You don’t deserve to be abused.”
• “Abuse is not love.”
• “You are not alone.”
• “There are people you can talk to who know about domestic violence.”
• “I am sorry this is happening to you.”
• “You are brave to reach out for help.”
• “I am proud of you for protecting yourself and your children.”
• “Be proud of yourself.”

We’ll be joined by DJ Rytz who will be running Denver’s best karaoke. We’ll have drink specials, contests, and more!

Who: Project Safeguard, DJ Rytz, and you!
What: Karaoke for a Kause to benefit Project Safeguard’s programs
When: November 12th 9-11 PM, Karaoke contest starts at 10!
Where: El Charrito, 21st and Larimer, Denver

Let us know you’re coming! Visit our event on Facebook.

A woman walks into a crowded courtroom searching for someone to answer a question. She sees someone with a Project Safeguard name tag. The woman asks how she can get a protection order.

Like so many other times that day, the advocate presents the woman with a stack of papers and begins to describe the process. The woman’s heart is racing as she was barely able to leave home without suspicion.

The woman stares blankly at the page and starts shaking. The form asks, “Describe the most recent incident, the most serious incident, any past incidents,” but there have been so many; they all run together. The advocate – recognizing the look on the woman’s face- begins to address the questions one at a time. The woman, still shaking, starts to calm down and begins to write .

She asks, “How do you write so much in such a small space?” The advocate gently encourages her to focus on one incident at a time and the exact words spoken. The woman writes small to fit her story on the four cramped lines provided on the form.

With her personal trauma on paper for a stranger to read, the woman continues filling in the blanks, trying to remember addresses as she ponders where to stay once she leaves. The advocate asks about safety; “Does he know where this place is? Does he have access ? Does she feel safe there? Is there another option for the next few nights?” She makes a choice and adds the address to the form. Signing her name, she’s done it – almost.

The advocate explains the legal process to this woman who’s never been in court, let alone represented herself. The Advocate helps her prepare for addressing the judge, let’s her know where to stand and why there may be others in the court. Once the Temporary Protection Order is granted, the advocate explains how to have it served, how far the defendant needs to stay away, what “temporary care and control” mean and the next court date.

The advocate offers the woman a clinic to prepare for the Permanent Order hearing. The court expects procedures to be followed when questioning a witness and addressing the court. The chance to prepare with an attorney will be helpful.

The woman is distracted by reality; she has to find a way to get the kids safely to her mother’s house before he discovers what’s happened. Her heart and mind begin racing again as she nervously takes her papers from the clerk. With a few clothes and important papers in the trunk, she drives for the kids school realizing this is not the end but rather the beginning as she heads into her new future.