ADDRESSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE DURING COVID-19

Featuring Kari Clark Executive Director, Alternatives to Violence

September 2022

“Domestic violence thrives in silence. To be able to support and help victims and survivors and to prevent domestic violence in the future, we all, everybody in the community, needs to talk about it.” 

Kari Clark has served as the Executive Director of Alternatives to Violence since 2018. In this roles, she has advocated on behalf of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking throughout Northern Colorado. 

Alternatives to Violence provides services to survivors of violent crime including domestic violence and sexual assault. As an organization, they provide emergency shelter, 24-hour victim advocates, court advocates, case management and housing referral services, referrals and resource information, as well as community education programs. 

As Executive Director, Kari Clark witnessed first hand the additional danger created for the vulnerable due to COVID-19 policies such as stay at home orders, remote learning for children, loss of jobs, economic uncertainty, and fear of becoming ill. Domestic violence and other violent crimes increased due to such policies and Kari Clark with the staff of Alternatives to Violence worked tirelessly to meet this increased need for help. Not only did the number of crimes increase, but the severity of the abuse increased as well.

Kari Clark and the Alternatives to Violence staff found new ways to address the needs of the vulnerable they served. Advocates, case managers, and therapists held virtual client sessions rather than face to face sessions. Shelters had to implement social distancing and also re-evaluate cleaning policies. The vulnerable continued to be served despite the circumstances. 

In addition to directly serving and advocating for victims of abuse, Kari Clark and the Alternatives to Violence staff work to educate the community regarding violence and how it can be prevented. This education has extended to Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, where there has been a rise in domestic abuse taking place on campus. Teen dating violence is another arena where Kari Clark and the Alternatives to Violence staff works to prevent through education and advocacy. 

The work of Kari Clark and Alternatives to Violence is vital to address abuse in Northern Colorado. Their work makes a significant impact in our community as the issue of violence and abuse touches one in four women and one in seven men throughout the country. We are grateful for Kari Clark’s tireless work to help victims and prevent future victims of violence in our community. 

AN ADVOCATE FOR HUMANITY

Featuring David Miliband, President and CEO, International Rescue Committee

September 2022

With every news cycle and every crisis, the international refugee crisis is one that receives less and less attention by the international community. One particular country or crisis often receives the most attention, until the next crisis occurs. However, those working on the front lines to help the displaced are very aware of the magnitude of the crisis and work with hope and belief that the crisis is manageable and solvable if we work together. 

David Miliband is one of these individuals working on the front lines of the refugee crisis. His current role is President and CEO of International Rescue Committee. International Rescue Committee (IRC)’s mission is “to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster. . . . to survive, recover and gain control over their future.” As President and CEO of International Rescue Committee, David Miliband works to carry out this mission and ensure that IRC is fulfilling this purpose. For David Miliband, this responsibility is not just a professional obligation. His role in supporting refugees and displaced people around the world is personal. David Miliband is the son of refugees, his parents fled to Britain during World War II. Their experience and his family’s history has shaped his work and commitment to others in need of humanitarian assistance. 

As President and CEO, David Miliband oversees the work of International Rescue Committee in over 40 countries throughout the world that have been affected by war. His work also involves overseeing the refugee resettlement and assistance programs IRC has in 28 cities throughout the United States. 

Prior to serving as President and CEO of IRC, David Miliband served as the 74th Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom from 2007 to 2010. In this capacity he advanced human rights while representing the United Kingdom around the World. Before serving as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, he served as Secretary of State for the Environment. In this role he was involved with advancing the world’s first binding emissions reduction requirements. 

David Miliband’s educational background prepared him well for the roles he has served in. He graduated from Oxford University with honors with a degree in philosophy, politics and economics. Later, David Miliband received a master’s degree in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a Kennedy Scholar. 

With the number of individuals in crisis increasing daily, the work of IRC and David Miliband is vital to addressing and ending the refugee crisis, one life at a time.