Beech Tree News Network

Facts about Domestic Violence: One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, according to statistics released through the Bureau of Justice.  Each day is potentially lethal for women in abusive relationships.  Secrecy, isolation and shame contribute to this compound issue.  Children, in-laws, current partners, and siblings will also be victims.  Women will die of strangulation, decapitation, blunt force trauma, gunshot wounds, stab wounds, vehicular homicide and arson.  They will leave behind babies, children, teenagers, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends and co-workers. 

Each month domestic violence shelters across Kentucky serve an average of 350 victims of domestic violence and their children.  Shelter services are critical in the work to end domestic violence.  They provide a refuge for battered women and their children.  Kentucky’s 15 domestic violence shelters are a network of safety and support that operate 24 hours a day.  The Barren River Area Safe Space, Inc. is the primary provider of domestic violence services in the Barren River region.  Advocates answer an average of 450 crisis calls each month as we work to keep families safe.

October highlights domestic violence across the nation.  Many communities will honor this month with a proclamation.   The Proclamations are issued to draw attention to the prevalence of domestic  violence in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and to remember those who have lost their lives as a result of domestic violence.   In a 12 month period, ending September 2012, 26 victims were killed by an intimate partner or spouse.  That averages to 2.1 per month and does not include secondary victims or male domestic violence homicide victims.   This statistic should be a wake-up call for all of us.  Let us continue to work together to end domestic violence.

You may reach the Crisis Line at 1-800-928-1183.

Lee Alcott
Executive Director, Barren River Area Safe Space, Inc.