October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. One in four women will be the victim of domestic violence at some point in their lifetime, and on average, three women are killed every day at the hands of a current or former intimate partner.
The government shutdown and economic downturn has had a devastating effect on local programs working to serve survivors of abuse. While a bad economy does not cause domestic violence, it can make it worse. At the same time, there are fewer options for survivors to escape. According to a 2012 survey, nearly eight out of ten domestic violence shelters nationwide reported an increase in survivors seeking help, while the vast majority experienced decreases in funding.
Despite tremendous challenges, domestic violence shelters served nearly 70,000 survivors in one day alone. More than three out of four domestic violence survivors who sought support, groups, counseling, support services, and legal advocacy found these services to be “very helpful.”
Executive Director of Safe Passage, Rebecca Versluys says, “With great sadness, we have seen domestic violence tragically impact our community with lives being taken too soon. But please remember that even when domestic violence is not making local headlines, it continues to impact the lives in our community every single day.”
Throughout October, communities across the country will mourn for those whose lives were taken by domestic violence, celebrate the tremendous progress advocates have made over the years, and connect with one another with a true sense of unity to end domestic violence.
For more information about our upcoming events or services, visit https://safepassagedv.org/events/.
No one deserves to be abused.
Written by: Kirsti McNeece
