Domestic Violence Has No Place in Our Community

The statistics are startling: One in four women will be the victim of domestic violence at some point in her lifetime, and, on average, three women are killed every day at the hands of a current or former intimate partner. In the past ten years, 359 people were killed by their abuser in Washington State alone.

YWCA Clark County’s SafeChoice Program is actively working in our community to bring awareness and support to victims of domestic violence. All year long we share the strong message that “Domestic Violence Has No Place in Our Community.”

The economic downturn has had a devastating effect on local programs working to serve survivors of abuse. Reports of domestic violence are increasing, while funding to support survivors are decreasing. According to the 2012 Mary Kay Truth About Abuse Survey, nearly 8 out of ten domestic violence shelters nationwide reported an increase in women seeking help, while the vast majority experienced decreases in funding.

Despite tremendous challenges, domestic violence shelters served nearly 70,000 victims in one day alone, according to the latest National Network to End Domestic Violence Domestic Violence Counts. In 2011, YWCA’s SafeChoice shelter provided 8,389 bed-nights to individuals fleeing domestic violence. More than three out of four domestic violence survivors who sought support groups, counseling, supportive services and legal advocacy found these services to be “very helpful,” the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and the University of Connecticut School of Social Work reported.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Communities across the country will mourn for those whose lives were taken by domestic violence, celebrate the tremendous progress victim advocates have made over the years, and connect with one another with a true sense of unity to end domestic violence.

YWCA Clark County will host a number of activities for the public throughout the month of October to raise awareness about domestic violence in our community.  Please join us to show that you also believe that domestic violence has NO place in our community.