Tucked into northwest Kansas, Options’ Colby office serves as a vital lifeline for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Colby and the surrounding rural communities. As Options’ Colby office, this area plays a unique role – bringing confidential, survivor-centered services closer to those who may otherwise face significant barriers to support. For Kristy, Rural Services Coordinator, and Krystal, Community Advocate, being physically present in Colby is central to survivor safety, trust, and healing.
Kristy brings nearly two years of advocacy experience from both the shelter and the Hays office, including facilitating the Ellis County Domestic Violence Support Group. Now based in Colby, she describes the work as deeply meaningful.
“I’ve had a lot of different experiences working with survivors,” Kristy shared. “Being present in the Colby office, I feel very excited to share my experience, strength, and hope with survivors of Colby and surrounding areas. I am honored to walk alongside survivors as they find their own path and begin their healing journey.”
While Kristy and Krystal are the two full-time advocates based in Colby, they are not working in isolation. Supervisors and other Options staff regularly travel to the Colby office to provide in-person support, help host community events, and build strong relationships with local partners. This ongoing presence helps ensure the Colby office stays connected to both the broader Options team and the Colby community, reinforcing the commitment to being visible, engaged, and responsive to local needs.
“All of Options locations work together as a team,” Kristy explained, “Good communication is important in-office and throughout the organization.”
For Krystal, the impact of having a local Options office is felt immediately by survivors walking through the door.
“I think having a face to greet you as you walk in during uncertain and scary times is important,” she said. “And having a person in the area to help traveling survivors who are fleeing.”
Survivors in rural communities often face unique and compounding challenges. Kristy notes that awareness of available services is one of the most urgent needs she sees.
“Knowing there’s help or a way out is critical for anyone experiencing abuse within the home,” she said.
Isolation is a common reality – survivors may be cut off from family, denied access to finances, or prevented from having reliable transportation. Krystal adds that housing is one of the most pressing needs in the Colby area.
“Housing can be a real challenge,” she shared. “It is really hard to find and secure as quickly as needed to be able to obtain it.”
Accessing local, confidential support can make the difference between staying trapped and finding a path forward. For many survivors, traveling long distances for help is simply not possible.
“It is closest to home for local people,” Krystal explained, “and sometimes home is the safest place to be when or while dealing with traumas.”
Both advocates see how rural settings can intensify fear and hesitation in leaving abuse.
“A big barrier in smaller towns is absolutely awareness of what abuse is and where to find help,” Kristy said. “Fear of judgment. Societal stereotypes. Assumed family roles, all of that.”
Krystal echoed that concern, noting that geography itself can be a barrier.
“Location is a big one,” she said. “Rural living can be nice, but it’s not always easy while trying to stay safe or unseen in small communities. Plus, imagine having to flee from not only your relationship, but your place of work, or where your kids go to school, or where your friends are. There’s a lot more in leaving than people realize.”
Without local services, the consequences can be devastating – not just for individuals, but for the community as a whole.
“I think that some victims would never leave if they didn’t know help was available closer to them,” Krystal reflected. “Some would live shorter, more stressful lives due to chronic exposure to the trauma. Some already feel there is no way out as it is.”
Kristy sees those ripple effects as well.
“When a community member suffers, so does the community,” she explained. “If there were no local services for those who are experiencing abuse it would be devastating. Families could leave, businesses could suffer, schools would have more challenges to overcome. Communities prosper from healthy members.”
The Colby office most often assists survivors with information, referrals, protection from abuse (PFA) assistance, court advocacy, counseling, and financial support. Krystal notes that financial control is a frequent tactic used by abusers in the area.
“When people think about abuse, their minds often first go to the physical,” she said. “Around here, we see situations where the abuser generally controls the money and the management of it, leaving their victim stranded or totally dependent on them.”
Both advocates have witnessed powerful moments that underscore why this work matters. Krystal shared one such experience that remains with her.
A survivor came to the Colby office after their children had been taken by authorities. This was the place they had felt safest and most in control of their life after enduring abuse. When their counselor told them to leave the relationship due to the severity of the abuse, they knew Options already knew the truth of their story.
“So, she naturally turned to the place where she came to take the first step to removing herself and her children from the abusive relationship,” Krystal said. “We sat here for a little while and hugged and cried together before we began to plan for the next step.”
Over time, both advocates see survivors begin to reclaim stability and confidence.
“After seeking services and support, survivors express more stability, confidence, self-worth, and a clear direction for a safer future,” Kristy shared.
Krystal notices changes as well.
“They are more levelheaded about the things they continue to go through,” she said, “Because they have a better understanding that it isn’t them at all.”
That healing often begins with something simple: being welcomed.
Kristy hopes every survivor experiences “a warm, friendly, and relatable advocate’s welcome.” Both Colby advocates are survivors themselves, bringing lived experience into their work and reinforcing a powerful message – survivors are not alone.
Still, misconceptions persist. Kristy notes that many people believe advocacy services are not fully confidential, something these two advocates want to stress is not the case.
“We won’t report to law enforcement unless you request for us to do so. We will help you take the steps that YOU want to take, when you want to take them,” Krystal said.
She also wishes the community understood the heart behind the work.
“We are willing to help in ways we can at the time we can,” she emphasized. “We’ll get as creative as we need to in order to help a survivor.”
In practice, that creativity can look like many things. Options provides confidential advocacy, safety planning, protection from abuse (PFA) assistance, court accompaniment, referrals, medical advocacy, law enforcement advocacy, and help navigating housing, transportation, and financial barriers. For survivors in Colby and surrounding rural areas, support may look like coordinating rides to court or medical appointments, helping locate emergency housing when options are limited, or finding ways to safely access documents, communication, or basic necessities. Each survivor’s situation is different, and advocates work alongside them to problem-solve in ways that prioritize safety, dignity, and choice – meeting survivors where they are and adapting support to what is possible in the moment.
Looking ahead, both advocates envision growth and deeper community integration. Kristy hopes Options becomes an even bigger part of the Colby community, including the possibility of a local safe shelter. Krystal shares that vision.
“My hope is to be fully staffed with wonderful, heartfelt advocates who help meet the needs that are needed here in rural America,” she said. “That the Colby location someday creates a safe place to live in a shelter with help for those who want their life back from abuse.”
Kristy and Krystal both emphasize that the Colby office thrives when the community is engaged and aware of what Options offers. “We can’t do this work alone,” Kristy explained. “Community partnerships, referrals, or even just asking questions about our services… All of that helps us reach survivors and grow our impact. When the community shows up with curiosity and support, it creates a safer, stronger environment for everyone.”
Violence in the home, both advocates emphasize, is not limited by geography, lifestyle, or family structure. It exists everywhere. We are incredibly grateful for the advocates we have in Colby, and the work the community is doing in regard to this issue.
As Kristy puts it simply: “We are here for survivors. We are here for the community. We’re here for you.”
If you need any additional information or have a question or a concern, feel free to reach out to Options at our 24-hour toll-free helpline 800-794-4624. You can also reach an advocate via text by texting HOPE to 847411 or click 24-Hour Chat with Options
Written by Anniston Weber
This grant project is supported by the State General Fund for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, sub-grant number 26-SGF-07, as administered by the Kansas Governor’s Grants Program. The opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Kansas Governor.