By DONNA SCHAIBLEY
State Representative
October marks National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which helps spread awareness, and lift up and support those who may be in or survived an abusive relationship.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in four women and one in seven men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner. Across the state and our community, there are multiple ways to get involved in the fight against domestic violence.
In Hamilton County, Prevail, Inc. in Noblesville serves as an advocate for victims of crime and abuse by offering free, confidential services to empower, educate and strengthen our community. They also operate a 24-hour crisis line at (317) 776-3472. Last year alone, they served nearly 3,500 clients, and 63 percent of these individuals were adults, teens and children who were victims of family violence.
Every October, Prevail launches its “Go Purple” campaign to engage local businesses and community members to raise awareness of domestic violence and develop effective prevention strategies. Prevail is asking the community to pick a day and wear purple, share their pictures using the hashtag #GoPurplePrevail and include why they’re going purple. For more information about how you can get involved, contact Holly Connelly at (317) 773-6942 or hconnelly@prevailinc.org.
Across the state, the Julian Center helps victims of domestic abuse through supportive services, education and cooperative partnerships. The Julian Center is the largest domestic violence shelter in Indiana and helped about 3,000 people last year. They also operate a 24-hour hotline, which can be reached at (317) 920-9320. To get involved, you can donate items to the center’s wish list, give gently used clothes, home goods and furniture to their Thrifty Threads store, or make a monetary donation. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit juliancenter.org/help-others.
Domestic violence affects Hoosiers across the state, regardless of race, income, age or occupation. No one deserves to be physically or emotionally harmed, and help is available. To connect to resources or find ways to get involved, please contact me at (317) 232-9863 or email H24@iga.in.gov.
State Rep. Donna Schaibley (R-Carmel) represents House District 24, which includes portions of Boone and Hamilton counties.