October is officially Domestic Violence Awareness month.  Caring House tries very hard to use this month to bring attention to the growing problem of  domestic violence in our community.  Every year the number of cases we see increases.   We need your help—we need you to be aware and report abuse—we need you to help us financially if you are able, we need you to volunteer your time.  Last year we provided services to over 400 individuals and provided over 3000 bednights in our shelter.  These are families afraid to go home or possibly afraid to leave even if they are in danger.  We do not promote divorce, we educate individuals so they can make wise decisions based on their situation.  We provide information these people can use to help themselves.  We guide them to other agencies if that is what is needed. 

As you may know, Domestic Violence is a serious issue.  It’s complicated because it involves families and their personal lives, lives many of us think are “their business”.  Unfortunately, their business affects most of us in some way.  That child who is bullying your child may be watching their mother get beaten by their father.  I guarantee your children are going to school with children who live daily with the fear that their parent, usually a mother, is going to be hurt or killed.  Many of those children are themselves being abused.  The sweet woman who clerks at your favorite grocery store may be afraid to go home, she may have someone checking up on her at all times to make sure she’s where she is supposed to be, or she may not be there tomorrow because she’s dead.

We may think of domestic violence victims as “one of those people”.  Maybe we categorize them as drug addicts, alcoholics, welfare recipients, etc.  Guess what, a victim could also be your next door neighbor, your sister, the doctor’s wife or your favorite librarian.  You can’t tell a victim by looking at them much of the time.  Yes, they may have bruises.  Then again, you may not be able to see those bruises.  They may be hidden by clothing.  They may be hidden in their hearts.

Possibly you are thinking that they should just leave.  That too is complicated.  There are dozens of reasons domestic violence victims don’t leave.  They may be afraid to, not have any money or are afraid of losing their children.  More than likely, they love their abuser and think and hope that this time when he tells them he will change, he will.  They may not know where to go or who to turn to.

We don’t expect you to jump into the middle of an abusive episode.  That would be dangerous.  We would like you to become more aware.  If you see or hear something suspicious, we would like you to call the police.  Yes, it might be nothing, but then again someone might be in real danger.  We hope you will support us so we can help the victims become survivors.