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VIA learns about domestic violence awareness

February 18, 2017

The Village Improvement Association continues its advocacy efforts to raise awareness about domestic violence, and the available resources and services in Sussex County. At the Feb. 8 meeting, members heard from featured speaker Mariann Kenville-Moore, director of policy and advocacy for the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She lent her expertise and spoke about the pervasiveness of this insidious abuse affecting all socioeconomic levels of society and how to make abuse prevention a priority. Kenville-Moore currently works with local and national partners to address and prevent domestic violence through advocacy, policy development and legislation. As a licensed clinical social worker, she has spent her decades-long career providing service to victims of this crime. For more information, go to www.DCADV.org.

Joining Kenville-Moore were Marcy Rezac, LCSW, director of the SAFE program for People’s Place in Milford, and Kim Rigby, manager of communications and donor relations for People’s Place. They shared specific information about the range of support and advocacy services provided by People's Place including, but not limited to, outpatient mental health, supervised/monitored visitations and exchanges, veteran services, homeless and transitional housing, financial literacy for abuse victims and more. For more information, go to www.peoplesplace2.com.

Domestic violence is one of the fastest-growing social issues of the time. The United States Department of Justice defines domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, verbal, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological threats or actions that influence the other person. While many factors contribute to this problem, it is primarily an issue of power and control. The violence not only affects the victim and perpetrator, but also family members, friends, and the community at large.

Raising awareness is an important step in stopping domestic violence. Quick-access phone numbers are: domestic violence hotline and shelters, 302-422-8058; state police victim center, 800-842-8461; Spanish/Espanol-speaking shelters, 302-745-9874; and Beebe Healthcare Crisis Nurse, 302-645-3300. If in immediate danger, call 911.

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