Domestic Violence prevention efforts ongoing in county

Banner Graphic/Jared Jernagan With Greencastle Mayor Bill Dory signing a proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness, members of other community organizations gather with him recognizing awareness efforts in the county. Involved organizations include Family Support Services, City of Greencastle, Putnam County Superior Court, Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office, Ascena Retail Group, DePauw University, Gobin Transformers, Putnam County Community Corrections, Matt Welker Allstate, First Financial Bank, Putnam County Youth Development Commission, Beyond Homeless and Greencastle High School.

Among ghosts and goblins, the month of October is symbolic for something else — Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Each year during the month of October, the Family Support Services Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program, along with the Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office and other Domestic Violence Programs across the country join together to raise awareness about family violence.

The Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation, signed by Greencastle Mayor Bill Dory, states that we all have a responsibility to ensure protection of our children and families against domestic violence in our community and encourages all of us to come together in support of victims to prevent future violence from occurring.

Most people never stop to think about those impacted by domestic violence. As a community we often demonstrate a “not me” attitude toward family and dating violence. However, domestic violence is a community issue.

Though domestic violence is a difficult problem to confront directly, there are innumerable methods that individuals within their community can use to help diminish the problem significantly. Family and community members who are aware that an offender commits acts of domestic violence must not ignore what they know, but rather must impose negative social consequences on the offender as a result of the behavior.

Neighbors, friends and co-workers of domestic violence victims must be alert to the potential danger and must be supportive of the victim and make appropriate referrals to local social service organizations that can help. This sends a consistent, clear message that domestic violence is not tolerable.

As a community, we can model for and educate our children and youth on healthy relationships, gender equality and respect. Community leaders, law enforcement, and prosecutors can send an unequivocal message that domestic violence is unacceptable by speaking out against violence and imposing criminal sanctions.

Zero tolerance of domestic violence can be also achieved through a coordinated community approach to the problem. Family Support Services’ domestic violence advocates are available 24 hours per day, seven days a week and to respond to the crisis and on-going needs of victims. Local law enforcement agencies actively respond and link victims and their children to supportive services and local resources that are available to assist families in achieving health and safety.

Family Support Services’ goal is to educate communities and prevent future incidents of domestic violence in an effort to end the generational cycle of this shattering epidemic that effects individuals, children, families, friends and communities. We invite you to join the effort to combat domestic violence not only this month, but also as long as domestic violence is occurring in this community.

Family Support Services is a not-for-profit agency determined to stop family violence and prevent child abuse and neglect. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, we can help. Family Support Services’ Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program reaches out to women, children, and men who have been victims of family violence, dating violence or sexual assault.

Our program is designed to offer victims confidential supportive services that include crisis support, linkage to essential resources, advocacy, and individual and group education. For further information please call Family Support Services at 653-4820.