Collier County men make 1,200 mile bike trek to spread domestic violence awareness

Reporter: Corey Lazar
Published: Updated:

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office partners with businesses and individuals to be their eyes and ears in the community.

One Naples man learned how to spot the signs of domestic abuse, then used his bike to spread that message from Naples to Washington, D.C.

Colin Estrem not only speaks out against domestic violence; he and two other Collier County men embarked on a more than one thousand-mile mission for the Shelter for Abused Women and Children.

“The three of us have never trained on a bike before,” Estrem said. “It is going to be tough but we got it”

The trio biked from Naples to Washington D.C. to shed light on the darkness of domestic violence, racking up 1,200 miles in 12 days.

But before hitting the road Estrem and his team went through a 30-hour class called core competency.

He said, “We needed to be able to understand the issues and speak about it with people in the public”

And what Estrem learned – shook him. Because it is not always physical control.

“What we learned in the core competency class was that a lot of times it is economic control,” he explained. “It can be just plain verbal abuse and manipulation that way.”

The knowledge allowed them to stop along the trip to meet with mayors, NFL players, and vice governors to spread awareness.

Being a husband and father, it’s an issue personal to Estrem.

The Core Competency Class at the Shelter for Abused Women and Children touches on the impact of trauma, safety planning and risk assessment for a victim. And also how to work with children who have just escaped a toxic situation.


Resources for victims of domestic violence in Southwest Florida

On Wednesday at 10 a.m. on CW, WINK News is airing a one-hour special on domestic violence.

Many think of domestic violence as physical hitting with potential signs of bruising of a victim, but it can also include verbal, mental, financial, and other types of abuse.

It can also impact people of all ages and of any sex.

During the hour we’ll tell the stories of survivors, red flags to look out for in a relationship, and provide resources.

If you can’t watch it live, check back here for the full special after it airs. 

Resources

Charlotte County
Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies
Phone: 941-639-5499
Hotline: 941-627-6000
SMS Text: 941-449-8534
TDD: 941-627-6000
Website: carefl.org
Chat: resourceconnect.com

Collier County
The Shelter for Abused Women & Children
Phone: 239-775-3862
Hotline: 239-775-1101
TDD: 239-775-4265
Website: naplesshelter.org

DeSoto County
Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center
Phone: 941-365-0208
Hotline: 941-365-1976
TDD: 941-365-1976
Website: sparcc.net

Glades County
Abuse Counseling and Treatment
Phone: 239-939-2553
Hotline: 239-939-3112
TDD: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com

Hendry County
Abuse Counseling and Treatment
Phone: 239-939-2553
Hotline: 239-939-3112
TDD: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com

Lee County
Abuse Counseling and Treatment
Phone: 239-939-2553
Hotline: 239-939-3112
TDD: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com

Below are mental health resources available to Southwest Floridians at the national and local levels.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-8255
suicidepreventionlifeline.org

David Lawrence Center  (Collier County)
(239)455-8500
davidlawrencecenter.org

SalusCare (Lee County)
(239)275-4242
saluscareflorida.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness, Collier County
namicollier.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry Counties
namilee.org

The National Alliance for Caregiving offers a free handbook
Circle of Care: A Guidebook for Mental Health Caregivers

Collier County Mental Health Court
ca.cjis20.org/home/collier

Lee County Mental Health Court
ca.cjis20.org/home/lee

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
convio.net

Local Support Groups: Anxiety and Depression Association of America
adaa.org

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Mental Health and Addiction Insurance Help)
hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/mental-health-parity

Local veterans resource: Home Base SWFL
https://homebase.org/home-base-southwest-florida/

 

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