FROM J.R IN SALT LAKE COUNTY

Dear Utah,

I’m a professor at the University of Utah in the Eccles School of Business. I teach professional and business communication, but my research focus is on how language and gender and violence intersect in organizations. I also am the cofounder of Fight Against Domestic Violence. 

During the same time I was starting my research, my husband and several of his business partners were also encountering many domestic violence victims and survivors through their work. As we started talking more openly about the prevalence of domestic violence, more and more people shared their stories with us, and we became aware of the sheer number of people impacted by this epidemic of violence.

Then in August of 2015, a dear friend and mentor of mine was shot by her husband. She fought for her life and survived, but the reality of her situation, and my inability to see the signs or recognize what was going on in her life, has haunted me. That was the tipping point and impetus for starting FADV. 

Along with several of his business partners, my husband and I realized how little funding there is for domestic violence prevention and support services in our state. We felt that we could make a difference in this area by raising money through private and corporate donations and quickly directing it right where survivors need it most urgently. 

I want every Utahn to know that domestic violence occurs at the same rates across all sectors of society -- meaning, family violence is occurring on your street, in your neighborhood, in your workforce, and among your colleagues. Domestic violence is a public health crisis that contributes to homelessness, poverty, healthcare costs, and worker absenteeism. 

I also want Utahns to know how much help our amazing service providers need. They need more money and resources. And we need more support from our state and local governments. Utah could be a leader in ending this epidemic of violence. We just have to be bold enough to try. 

Jessie Lynn Richards, PhD