New resource opens at Auraria for domestic violence help

DENVER - For the first time, students and staff at Colorado's largest school campus have a place to turn when dealing with relationship violence, stalking or sexual assault.

A grand opening was held on Thursday for the Phoenix Center at Auraria. It will serve UC Denver, Metro State College, the Community College of Denver and the Auraria Higher Education Center.

The Phoenix Center will be able to refer students and staff to appropriate victims' services and develop prevention and awareness activities.

The center will also offer a 24-your confidential helpline.

The director of the Center on Domestic Violence for UC Denver says the Phoenix Center wasn't created sooner because many of the students on the Auraria Campus are commuters.

"Most of the violence, interpersonal violence, took place for students, faculty or staff off campus. So the campus itself wasn't aware very often that people were having those experiences and so really didn't realize, perhaps, how badly services might be needed, Barbara Paradiso, director of the Center on Domestic Violence, said.

The Phoenix Center is funded by $500,000 in grand money from the U.S. Department of Justice.