Batesville, IN — October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and several activities have been planned by the Safe Passage to bring attention to this issue. Banners and purple ribbons (purple is the designated color for domestic violence) have been hung at the local parks and downtown areas as a reminder that this is not just a personal problem but a community one. Electronic signs with messages about the special designation will scroll at several banks and city or community signs throughout the month. Highpoint Health in Dearborn County will feature a special display in the lobby. Several coffee shops in the area will post the ribbon stickers on coffee sleeves as a reminder or feature a display. The community is encouraged to wear purple on October 15, the day designated nationally to do so.
• On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men
• On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide and intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime. Safe Passage received 721 in 2019.
• On Sept. 12, 2019, Indiana participated in a national census of domestic violence services conducted: 2368 victims received services; 480 hotline calls answered; 135 unmet resources for services (89 % being housing or emergency shelter)
Domestic violence is not just something that happens in urban areas or big cities. Last year, Safe Passage served more than 1300 victims and their children in the six-county area either through the shelter, the non-residential programming, or toll-free helpline. The 30-bed shelter is based in Batesville, but the active satellite offices in Greendale, Brookville, Versailles, and Madison make it more convenient or accessible for those who might not need shelter, but do need support. For more information, go to the website at www.safepassageinc.org or call 812-933-1990.
