Numbers You May Find Suprising About Domestic Violence

The Women’s Center of Beaver County strives to provide shelter, counseling, support, advocacy, and education to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.  Please take a moment to read the results of this census that was taken on just one day.  When you do, you will have a better understanding of why it is so important that we support the great work of this nonprofit organization.

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On September 17, 2008, the Women’s Center of Beaver County was one of 61 domestic violence programs in Pennsylvania that participated in the national census of domestic violence services.  On that one day in Pennsylvania:

• 2,476 domestic violence victims sought and found services in our statewide network of sister programs
• 1,132 victims found refuge in emergency shelters or transitional housing.  We can house 24 women and children in shelter and three families in transitional.  Shelters provide a safe place for victims and their children while they plan for the future.
• 1,344 adults and children found assistance in counseling, legal advocacy and support groups.  Victims need core services such as crisis intervention, safety planning, court or hospital accompaniment, legal assistance, and more.  Victims face a wide range of issues including loss of housing, medical care, lack of transportation, court hearing, loss of wages, substance abuse.
• 847 Hotline calls were made and answered; our helpline is answered 24/7 and serves as a lifeline for victims in danger, providing crisis intervention, support, information, safety planning and resources.
• 1,690 persons were educated in training sessions and prevention programs.  We provide a variety of programs for all ages.
• 242 unmet requests for services on that one day, 158 of these were for shelter; many programs reported a lack of staffing and shortage of funds to assist victims in need of services such as transportation, childcare, counseling and legal representation.

On that day:  In Pennsylvania, a women obtained a 3 year protection order after she was held at knifepoint and her abuser broke her ribs and blackened her eyes. 

Across the country:  A different woman sought a protection order form her ex-husband who had been released on parole after being in jail.  When the judge asked her if she was still afraid of him, she replied, “Yes. The only reason I’m still alive today is because his gunned jammed.”  Another woman learned that her abuser will get only 3 months of probation despite breaking her arm and threatening her life.  Yet, another woman decided to stay with her abuser because her only other choice was to be homeless.

            On September 17, 2008 as they do every day, victims found refuge, support and safety at programs like the Women’s Center of Beaver County.  They depend on the immediate and compassionate response of domestic violence programs to help them escape abuse and rebuild their lives.  Adequate funding is crucial to our ability to help victims.

Can you help this organization provide these very necessary services? If so, please visit our website at http://www.womenscenterbc.org/ or call 724-775-2032 to find out hou you can help.