October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month across the country. According to recent stats, 1 in 4 women are victims of the crime, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner… and about 10 million women and men are domestic violence victims per year in the US.
Locally Hope’s Voice of Knox and Daviess County provides domestic violence, support and advocacy and counseling and prevention services.
Megan Smith is the Daviess County Coordinator for Hope’s Voice in Daviess and she gave us a definition of domestic violence
Meanwhile, Kathy Bush, the Outreach Coordinator for Hope’s Voice tells us what the term sexual assault is defined as…
Bush says if someone tells you they are victim, first believe them and then reach out to Hope’s Voice to find out more about what the victim is going through. If you need more information or need help contact Hope’s Voice. They are available on Facebook.
Meanwhile, HV is rooking for individuals that would like to become a trained volunteer advocate. Trained volunteer advocates assist with our 24 hour hotline, work at awareness/outreach events and respond to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault victims in healthcare settings. We offer free and flexible training hours that include evening and weekend classes. Classes are now forming for November 2019! Please contact Cathy Bush at 812-886-4470 for an application and more information.
Click here to hear more about Hope’s Voice on this episode of Focus on the Community