Domestic Violence Awareness Month was launched nationally 35 years ago as a way to raise awareness of the continues problem in the United States and support victims of domestic abuse.
Heather Lancaster with Sanctuary in Hopkinsville says domestic violence accounts for 15-percent of all violent crime in the U.S. and 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner.
Unfortunately, she said the number of women seeking help on their crisis line has increased in the past two years.
click to download audioSanctuary provides many services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault to include crisis counseling, a 24-hour crisis line, victim-centered support, and an emergency shelter. Because Sanctuary is a non-profit organization, Lancaster says they rely on fund-raising to continue their effort of serving abuse victims. She added they are in the second year of a new fund-raising platform.
click to download audioLancaster explains how this fund-raising effort works.
click to download audioLancaster says the reception will be held later this month.
Before then, she says Sanctuary will have its annual Lotus Release Wednesday afternoon at 3 pm to honor those people who have lost their lives to domestic violence. Lancaster says the event will be held virtually.
click to download audioAny victim of domestic violence or abuse can call the Sanctuary crisis line at 1-800-766-0000 or 270-886-8174.
