Options Domestic & Sexual Violence Services Celebrates More Than 40 Years of Helping Northwest Kansas

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Options Domestic & Sexual Violence Services brought community members together in Colby Thursday evening for a Business After 5 at Center Pivot.

The event was held Thursday, September 4, from 5 to 7 p.m., giving local business owners, employees and community members an opportunity to network while also learning more about the important work Options does across northwest Kansas.

Business After 5 events are hosted by local businesses and organizations and provide a casual setting for people throughout the community to make connections, learn about local services and catch up with other area professionals.

For Options, it was also an opportunity to highlight more than four decades of serving northwest Kansas.

Options traces its history back to October 1983, when individuals from Hays and Fort Hays State University came together to create an agency serving victims of domestic and sexual violence in rural western Kansas. Today, the nonprofit serves 18 counties across northwest Kansas, including Thomas, Sherman, Rawlins, Cheyenne, Decatur, Norton, Sheridan, Logan and Gove counties.

Options provides assistance to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, teen dating violence and human trafficking. Services are free, confidential and voluntary and include a 24-hour helpline, crisis intervention, advocacy, safe shelter and emergency accommodations, supportive counseling, support groups, youth services, education and other assistance.

The organization also has a Colby office at 1480 W. 4th Street and continues to provide support groups, advocacy and outreach locally.

After more than 40 years, the mission remains focused on providing help, hope and healing to victims and survivors while working toward communities where northwest Kansas residents can live free from violence and abuse.

Anyone needing help can contact the Options 24-hour helpline at 800-794-4624 or text HOPE to 847411. More information is available through the Options Domestic & Sexual Violence Services website.