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photo by Joie de Vivre Photographie One in three women report being in an abusive relationship at some point in their life. About three women in the U.S. are killed by their husbands or boyfriends every day, and of these women, most are murdered within two weeks of leaving the batterer. In our country, assaults on women by their partners range from approximately three to four million annually, and domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the U.S., more than car accidents, robbery and rape, combined. There are an estimated 1,500 shelters for battered women in the U.S., and two thirds of the residents in domestic violence shelters are children. Battering occurs among people of all races, ages, socio-economic classes, religious affiliations, occupations and educational backgrounds. The facts are startling, however there is hope. Last year, the Domestic Violence Center of SCV was able to provide 30-day emergency shelter to 114 women and children, served over 200 new clients and 700 existing clients, was able to donate emergency food/clothing to nearly 400 clients and 500 existing clients. The Domestic Violence Center also provided court and social advocacy to over 60 clients and legal referrals to over 200 clients. Fifty five clients attended the DVC’s Mobile Medical Clinic and over 42 adults and 91 children participated in the Windows Art Expression group. The Domestic Violence Center SCV opened in 1983 and is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. The DVC is a full-service domestic abuse agency, providing a crisis hotline, outreach counsel programs, legal advocacy and much more. “The DVC is a vital agency in the Santa Clarita Valley,” states Linda Davies, Executive Director. “Our services provide safety, hope, and a brighter future to women and children experiencing domestic violence. With one in three women being the statistic for domestic violence everyone knows someone who has had this traumatic experience. Supporting the Domestic Violence Center of Santa Clarita supports the health of our community.” The Domestic Violence Center SCV opened in 1983 and is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. The DVC is a full-service domestic abuse agency, providing a crisis hotline, outreach counsel programs, legal advocacy and much more. The month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time for the community to come together and build awareness towards safe and healthy relationships for all individuals and families. The DVC in Santa Clarita will be hosting their 2nd Annual Purple Walk of Strength 5K on Saturday, October 5 at the College of the Canyons. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Come help support the mission of the DVC, to provide safety and support to victims of domestic violence, while working to break the cycle of abuse. For more information about the DVC, their services, how you can help or the Purple Walk of Strength, visit www.dvc-scv.org. |
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