A years-long effort to complete Colorado’s first-ever center to offer counseling, legal and housing services to victims of domestic violence became a reality on Tuesday.
The Rose Andom Center — which expects to provide services to about 3,000 domestic violence victims each year — is on track to open this fall after Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman awarded a $1 million grant to the center. Coffman made the announcement during Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance’s event in Denver to mark National Crime Victims’ Rights week.
The 48,000 square foot center will provide a one-stop shop for victims and connect them with counseling services, medical care, housing and employment referrals, children’s services and legal services. Funds for the grant came from money recovered from fraudulent mortgage lenders as part of in 2012.
More than 4,000 cases of domestic violence are reported each year in Denver, Coffman said.
“I find that number intolerable,” Coffman said. “Once open, the Rose Andom Center will empower victims of domestic violence to become survivors of domestic violence.”
Coffman presented a check to Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey, whose office has been key in coordinating the 30 public and private agencies that will be available at the center, during a ceremony at Denver’s Wellington E. Webb Building.
“It’s amazing to see a dream come true,” Morrissey said.
Tammy Anckner and her 17-year-old son, Matt, spoke to about 100 victims’ advocates, law enforcement and others about the role victims’ services played in their lives, after Matt revealed his older stepbrother was sexually abusing him. Matt’s friends were no longer allowed to play with him and the church the two attended asked them to leave, she said.
“We stood alone in our community,” Tammy Anckner said.
Matt Anckner described his years-long journey lead him from being “a victim to a survivor.” He struggled with PTSD, was unable to focus in school and was hospitalized three times for suicidal tendencies.
But after discovering his new community — mad up of law enforcement, counselors and advocates — Anckner has confidence to share his story to help others. He’s proud when he sees his photo on a passing taxi cab, part of a new campaign raising awareness for victims of sexual abuse.
“Looking forward I hope other survivors don’t have to lose everything to make the abuse stop,” Matt Anckner said.
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794, jsteffen@denverpost.com or twitter.com/jsteffendp
