Dozens of people gathered on the steps of the State Capitol on Tuesday at the second annual “Dear Utah” rally. There, legislators, law enforcement members, service providers, community members, family members and survivors came out to show support and do their part to put an end to domestic abuse.

Many of our neighbors, friends and family members are living extremely difficult lives due to abuse. It is not easy to get out. The more we know, the more we can help.

According to Ashlee Taylor, The Refuge Utah executive director, there has been an overall increase in reported domestic violence cases statewide. “While it’s difficult to say whether this represents a true rise in incidents or greater awareness and willingness to report, the numbers are concerning,” she said. “The demand for our services at The Refuge Utah has grown significantly in recent years. We’re seeing more calls to our crisis line, more requests for shelter, and more individuals seeking advocacy and therapy. This tells us that domestic abuse remains a pressing issue in our community.”

While the numbers are sobering – law enforcement in Utah handles over 11,000 cases each year – behind the numbers and data are the real stories. That is what Dear Utah is all about. The campaign aims at gathering stories about domestic abuse to spread awareness and educate the public about the seriousness and frequency of the problem. The Dear Utah website is a space where victims and others can share their stories of abuse, healing, survival and the need for help.

“When we talk about domestic violence and numbers and data, I think it feels removed and doesn’t have the impact that names and faces and humans behind the numbers and data do,” said Brooke Muir, Fight Against Domestic Violence executive director. “Hopefully, we can talk about family violence and its complexity and also talk about some of those warning signs. The long-term goal is to prevent it from happening and reduce those numbers and help young people recognize those negative behaviors.”

“I have difficulty trusting people, and my expectations for compassion and kindness are critically low. 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.” So reads an anonymous post on the Dear Utah site.

“I’m your fun neighbor. I’m on PTA and other boards with you. My kids play at your home and on teams with your kids. I attend church weekly with you. My husband is very prominent in his career and we have a well-known name. We have a large home, vacation all over, and are highly respected. However, for the past 25 years, our marriage has been filled with abusive episodes both physical and emotional,” reads another post.

Muir said survivors, family members, first responders and others who have been impacted by domestic abuse are encouraged to share their stories on dear-utah.com. The goal over the next year is to get hundreds of stories onto the site to spread awareness of the enormity and seriousness of the problem.