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SALT LAKE CITY — October is domestic violence awareness month, and for one Utah County family, it's the perfect time to honor a loved one they lost.
The family of Teresa Scott is trying to help other women who leave their abuser before it's too late. Scott was allegedly shot to death in her home in Salem by her husband, Tracy Scott.
"What do you say? It was somebody that we loved and cared about," said Joyce Jarrett, Teresa's sister-in-law. "We felt like there were a lot of different choices that could have been made."
Now, Jarrett sits with her family on the corner of Center and Main in Salem collecting donations for the local Center for Women and Children in Crisis. The donations are supplies for women who leave everything behind after leaving their abuser.
"People have stopped by to see what we're doing," Jarrett said. "Everybody has problems and challenges, and I don't think we ever think that'll happen."
People have stopped by to see what we're doing. Everybody has problems and challenges, and I don't think we ever think that'll happen.
–Joyce Jarrett
The family reflects on that tragic day, but also have hope other families won't ever have to know the loss they've endured. They've posted fliers around town about their month-long donation drive.
Slowly, donations have been coming in.
Jarrett said the tight-knit town was affected by Teresa's death, but it shows that domestic violence can affect anyone.
"I look at her picture and think, you wouldn't look at it and think she'd be someone in that situation," Jarrett said.
Statistics show that one in four women in Utah will be affected by domestic violence. That statistics mirrors the national numbers.
The family has a website for those who would like to donate. Teresa Scott left behind two teenage sons, who are currently staying with family. Last month, a judge found there was enough evidence against her husband to stand trial for her murder.
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