Budget cuts have affected everyone this year. From schools to national parks, every agency has taken a hit. Lincoln County Turning Point hasn’t escaped the cuts. Turning Point is an organization dedicated to helping survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and more.

Bobbie Orcutt, Lincoln County Turning Point office manager and administrative assistant, said their loss is at nearly $43,000.

“Our annual fundraiser in Afton was canceled this year,” Orcutt said. “We are trying to find more innovative ways to reach out to the community as well as get funds.”

According to their website, Turning Point’s mission is “is to reduce the incidence of family violence, sexual assault, stalking, incest, child abuse, and human trafficking in Lincoln County by providing comprehensive services and options to any victim, and by providing preventive education programs in the school, communities and other community agencies.” Orcutt said the funding they get goes toward the survivors.

“It helps with their needs,” Orcutt said. “We maintain two shelters — one in Kemmerer and one in Afton. [The funds] help with food, clothing, transportation and more in order to help them get back on their feet. We try to help in any way we can.” Orcutt said that the organization is looking to see what they can cut without compromising the needs of the survivors.

In order to help raise additional funds, Turning Point will host online raffles with donated items.

“Coming up we have a European mount that was donated and some leather bar stools,” Orcutt said. According to Orcutt, they are also looking at how they can host the Parade of Trees this year. Normally, community members participate by decorating trees in and around their homes. The community then does a tour of the decorations, voting on the best ones. There is usually a raffle fundraiser as well. This year they are hoping to have something, they just aren’t sure yet, according to Orcutt.

“Everything is still just up in the air,” Orcutt said. “We are looking toward the community for in-kind donations and volunteers.”

Due to COVID- 19 Turning Point has offered examples of red flags for people to look for and warning signs of a violent intimate partner relationship may be:

• Extreme jealousy

• Possessiveness

• Unpredictability

• A bad temper

• Cruelty to animals

• Verbal abuse

• Extremely controlling behavior

• Antiquated beliefs about roles of women and men in relationships

• Forced sex or disregard of their partner’s unwillingness to have sex

• Sabotage of birth control methods or refusal to honor agreed upon methods

• Blaming the partner for anything bad that happens

• Sabotage or obstruction of the partner’s ability to work or attend school

• Controls all the finances

• Abuse of other family members, children or pets

• Accusations of the partner flirting with others or having an affair

• Control of what the partner wears and how they act

• Demeaning the partner either privately or publicly

• Embarrassment or humiliation of the partner in front of others

• Harassment of the partner at work.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the Turning Point office through email, phone or social media. The 24-hour crisis line is 1-307-877-9209.