For Jane

While 100 people gathered together the last few days to discuss how to better serve domestic violence victims in Cuyahoga County, a woman, "Jane", was murdered in Cleveland - in the name of domestic violence. Pausing for a moment to remember her and all victims, we reiterate the reason we are gathered together. There are too many injuries and murders stemming from domestic violence and we, as a community, need to make this a priority. And let's not forget that more than half the residents in our shelter are children. Children who see, hear, witness and experience violence and abuse in their own homes. The effects are devastating and we need to break this cycle. DVC saw an increase in all of our programs (except shelter due to maximum bed capacity) and our 24-hour Helpline jumped from 14,000 to 18,000 calls annually. This is outrageous and we need to invest in prevention, education and intervention to help create healthier and peaceful homes. Please help us by doing your part. Speak up, offer support to a victim you know, volunteer, donate... whatever you are inclined to do -
just please do something... for Jane, her family and all of the others impacted by domestic violence everyday.