Dear Utah is a space where victims can share their stories of abuse, healing, survival and the need for help.

The number of domestic abuse cases in Utah has been increasing, but only about one-fourth of residents believe domestic abuse to be a problem in the state, according to one study. The discrepancy in the sobering reality and the number of people who are aware prompted a statewide campaign that centers around sharing real experiences by real people — our neighbors and friends — to help raise awareness.

A campaign by the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition and 17 other domestic violence service providers, Dear Utah aims at getting the word out through stories.

According to the study, conducted by the Utah Women and Leadership Project in 2023, only 26% of Utahns believe that domestic violence is a problem in the state. However, around that same time, the number of those experiencing domestic violence and accessing shelters and services rose by 100 percent, according to Sierra Holmes, Fight Against Domestic Violence programs director.

Dear Utah was prompted by this study and launched in October. “Dear Utah is a collective of Utahns dedicated to building awareness around domestic violence by providing a platform where survivors, family members, service providers, healthcare workers, law enforcement and individuals can share their connections to domestic violence happenings,” Holmes said. “Stories can be submitted through the website and submissions can be made anonymous or identified with initials of those who share.”

How can sharing stories of domestic abuse help to prevent it? Holmes said that domestic violence is stigmatized to a point where many of us believe that it happens but “could never happen to me.”

“It’s a ‘not in my home’ issue. When those who have experienced it share their stories, it allows for others who might identify with the different ways that domestic violence looks and presents itself to know they are not alone, and, further, allow themselves the permission to seek resources if necessary,” Holmes said. “Sometimes it takes someone holding up a mirror for us to realize it might actually be something going on in our own personal lives.”

People often think of domestic abuse as physical violence, but it can come in the form of emotional, verbal, financial and sexual abuse as well. “The acknowledgement and consciousness-raising of these other forms of abuse help those experiencing it begin to identify what is happening to them and seek the help they might need,” she said.

“What surprised me most was the insidiousness of psychological abuse. This type of abuse is subtle and manipulative, and it doesn’t leave visible scars. It erodes your self-worth and distorts your perception of reality, completely knocking you off of your axis. I wish more Utahns understood that domestic violence isn’t always physical. It can manifest in various forms, leaving deep emotional wounds that can affect someone for the remainder of their life,” states a post on the Dear Utah website.

“I wish there was an exit plan for me to get out of this relationship without risking my very life, but I’m afraid it will come to that eventually. I am grateful I can share my story if only to help another woman feel less alone. I see you. I hear the ache in your voice. I understand the fear you live with. I wish I could make it go away for all of us,” states another story from the site.

Victims of domestic abuse — any kind — are encouraged to share their stories at dear-utah.com.