“Per capita, we have as much that happens here as in the big cities, we just don’t hear a lot about it,” said Niemela, executive director and a 34-year employee of the non-profit shelter. “If it’s not out in the court systems or not out in the public, people don’t really know.”

Bringing the issue to the forefront was the goal of the convoy of motorcycles that roared down M-26 from Calumet to Houghton Monday night as part of the 11th annual Ride Against Abuse. It is held annually on the first Monday in October, which is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

This year’s ride drew 25 riders on 21 bikes, Niemela said. Four new riders joined this year’s group, some of whom have been riding since the beginning.

What draws them every year is a belief in the cause, Niemela said. 

Twenty-five motorcyclists took part in Monday’s Ride Against Abuse, which takes place on the first Monday of October, to coincide with Domestic Violence Awareness Month. (Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette)

“Even if they’ve not experienced it themselves, I’m sure they probably know somebody that’s been in a situation that needed help, and maybe we were the ones who have helped them,” she said. “So they want to show their support for the shelter.”

It was the second year Kelsey Eddleman of Calumet had made the ride. It’s important to stand up for battered women, she said. 

“Look at everybody,” she said over the sound of motorcycles revving up for their rides home. “It’s awesome. It really is the best time ever, to have a big group of people out riding for a good cause … it’s magic. It’s community. It’s wholesome. It’s just a beautiful thing.”

Statewide, there were 64,545 domestic violence incidents in 2022, the most recent year for which statistics are available. For some people who come to the shelter, it’s prompted by something that just happened, Niemela said. For others, it’s a longtime victim who finally leaves — “one of the most dangerous times for a victim,” Niemela said. 

“The victim knows when it’s safe to leave, if it isn’t something that happens right away that gets the law enforcement involved,” she said. “Then most times they’re brought to the shelter, which is a safe thing to do.”

Niemela is thankful for the support the shelter receives from the community. In addition to the grants it gets through the state’s Division of Victim Services, it also receives community donations, including the Copper Shores Community Foundation’s Giving Tuesday fundraiser. 

The shelter will have a 45th anniversary celebration at Gino’s on May 19. It had planned a 40th anniversary celebration, which had to be canceled because of COVID. 

The shelter is celebrating its fourth year in its new facility in Calumet, which has worked out well, Niemela said. 

“Everybody that comes has been pleased with our services, and I think our existence in the community and the support we get from the community echoes that,” she said.