Colorado Revised Statutes Title 26. Human Services Code § 26-7.5-101. Legislative declaration

(a) A significant number of homicides, aggravated assaults, assaults and batteries, and other types of abuse and coercive control occur within Colorado; that the reported incidence of domestic violence and sexual assault represents only a portion of the total number of incidents of domestic violence and sexual assault; that a large percentage of police officer deaths in the line of duty result from police intervention in domestic abuse situations; and that domestic violence and sexual assault is a complex problem affecting families from all social and economic backgrounds;

(b) Domestic violence and sexual assault can have harmful and lasting consequences for victims, families, communities, and the state. Domestic violence and sexual assault have a profound impact on not only victims' physical, psychological, and social well-being, but also on individuals' economic stability and the state's economy. Economic impacts often include criminal and civil legal system costs; medical and behavioral health expenditures; lower wages resulting from diminished educational attainment; lost wages from missed work, job loss, debt, and poor credit; and costs associated with housing instability.

(c) The best available research shows that domestic violence and sexual assault occur at relatively equal rates. Research also shows that individuals from populations underserved due to geographic location, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, race or ethnicity, language barriers, disabilities, alienage, and age experience domestic violence and sexual assault at higher rates and face greater challenges in accessing services than the general population. Therefore, funding should ensure equal support for domestic violence and sexual assault services as well as support for services for underserved populations and culturally specific programs.

(d) Community-based advocates are uniquely positioned to offer victims various options for services and to support the choices victims make. Community-based advocates focus primarily on the needs, choices, and input of the victim. Therefore, the general assembly declares that community-based advocates are a critical component of a victim-centered response to domestic violence and sexual assault.

(e) In a continued effort to promote increased diversity among the funded victim service organizations, it is the intent of the general assembly that, in administering this article 7.5, the state department identify additional measures to address barriers that historically underserved victims, including people of color, face in accessing victim services.