Bringing light to the issue: Agencies raise awareness about domestic violence

Sept. 29--October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month where agencies across the U.S. recognize those who have been victims of domestic violence and work to create a world where domestic violence does not exist.

Someplace Safe is a crime victim advocate organization in west-central Minnesota with locations in Fergus Falls and across Otter Tail County. Someplace Safe assists the survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes to navigate emotional and other impacts of the violence they have faced.

Crime victim advocate at the Fergus Falls branch of Someplace Safe, Jessie Brough talked about how Someplace Safe advocates for victims.

"We are typically involved if there are criminal charges pending right from the get-go unless the victim does not want our services," Brough said. "Sometimes people reach out who have been in ongoing situations who are looking for resources."

Someplace Safe is a great resource for those experiencing domestic violence and that are unsure what to do next.

"If they are looking for someone to talk to or for resources they reach out to Someplace Safe," Brough said. "If it is an emergency contact the authorities, not Someplace Safe."

Someplace Safe is doing several things during the month of October to note Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Someplace Safe will have an installation of the Clothesline Project at the courthouse on Oct. 3 with shirts with the names and dates of people murdered because of domestic violence in this area. Throughout the month of October, every Thursday at Perkins will be a Dine to Donate day for Someplace Safe. On Oct. 18 Someplace Safe is organizing a day of purple, for people to wear purple in support of those who have faced domestic violence. For anyone interested in any of these events they can find more information at someplacesafe.info.

Joe Ostrander is the communications manager for the National Resource on Domestic Violence, an educational source for those hoping to learn more about domestic violence.

"In the United States, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime and report negative impacts such as injury, fear, concern for safety, and needing services," Ostrander said.

For those experiencing domestic violence or other sexual violence, please reach out to the authorities and other resources at someplacesafe.org or the national sexual assault hotline at 800-656-HOPE.

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