Sexual Assault Services Organization, a free and confidential advocacy program for survivors of sexual violence, has expanded into Montezuma and Dolores counties and is preparing to open an office in Cortez.
The organization, previously based solely in Durango and Ignacio, decided to begin providing in-person services in Montezuma and Dolores counties after receiving calls on its support line from people in the area seeking help in navigating trauma, accessing resources and more. Montezuma and Dolores County advocate Ashleigh Holt, who lives in Cortez, was hired for the new Montezuma and Dolores County position.
Holt told The Journal that SASO’s office will open on Oct. 5.
“I am hoping that it will encourage services and give them (survivors) that chance to feel heard and believed,” Holt said. “My biggest thing is making sure that victims feel heard, and that they don’t have to worry about being blamed or judged.”
Director of Operations Kelsey Lansing also shared details about the program, noting that it offers advocacy and education, along with connecting those who have experienced sexual violence to available resources. She added that sexual violence includes sexual assault, rape, child sexual assault, incest, stalking, sexual harassment, human trafficking and intimate partner violence.
Services are available whether an assault was recent or occurred years in the past. Advocates at SASO will accompany survivors to court, help with forms, provide information, serve as a buffer with systems and more. Survivors who work with SASO are also not required to report the sexual violence if they don’t wish to.
SASO secured space in Cortez through a partnership with the Adult Education Center.
The organization has networked with other local partners in Cortez including The Bridge, Renew, The Nest, Montezuma County Social Services, the Montezuma Public Health Department, nursing programs about forensic nursing, law enforcement and more.
“We’ve mainly tried to ensure that we’re not stepping on anybody’s toes, and making sure that we’re communicating effectively with existing organizations and law enforcement,” Lansing said.
SASO is also collaborating with law enforcement and the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office and its Victim Services team to develop a new effort in the area called the Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team.
A 24/7 free and confidential support line is available by calling 247-5400. Calls are answered around the clock and directed to appropriate resources. Email inquiries can be directed to Holt at ashleigh@durangosaso.org, but the hotline is recommended for urgent needs. More information can be found online at durangosaso.org.
bduran@the-journal.com
