In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Shannon Meyer, the Executive Director of Response, a nonprofit doing critical work with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking here in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley.

Shannon’s path to this work is unlike any I’ve heard - she came from a background in environmental conservation and ended up leading a survivor services organization through a period of major transformation. We talked about what it’s really like to run a domestic violence shelter in a small mountain community, and the unique challenges (and opportunities) that come with that.

In our conversation, we cover:

• How Shannon helped stabilize and grow Response after years of leadership turnover
• Why fewer survivors are seeking sexual assault exams - and why that’s deeply concerning
• What trauma-informed advocacy actually looks like on the ground
• The power of law enforcement partnerships and early intervention
• The shift away from secret shelters - and why public-facing models may actually be safer
• How Response is reaching youth and shifting culture through education

As a lawyer who works closely with survivors and serves on Response’s board, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact this organization has. This episode is close to my heart - and I hope it gives you a deeper understanding of the work being done behind the scenes to support survivors in rural communities.

Resources:

• Learn more or get help: responsehelps.org
• Follow Response on Instagram
• 24/7 crisis line: 970-925-SAFE (7233)