Last year, in Pennsylvania alone, domestic violence deaths left 122 empty places at tables across Pennsylvania. And also in 2018, the Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania (DVSSP) received 2,001 domestic violence related hotline calls and provided domestic violence related services to a total of 2,412 new victims, children and significant others.
With these disturbing statistics in mind, Greene County Commissioners issued a proclamation during their regular meeting on Oct. 10 proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Greene County.
The proclamation, which was presented to Cheryl McCready, satellite office coordinator of the Greene County DVSSP office, was presented in conjunction with the awareness campaign held nationwide throughout October.
In presenting the proclamation, the Commissioners stressed their concerns regarding domestic violence.
Commissioner Blair Zimmerman said the Board of Commissioners strongly encourages all county residents “to raise their awareness about domestic violence and increase efforts to transform despair into hope for families who suffer violence at home.”
Commissioner Dave Coder said awareness “is important for each and every resident of Greene County, because domestic violence impacts families, children, communities, everyone.”
Commissioner Archie Trader said the Board of Commissioners commends McCready and the staff of the Greene County DVSSP office for their efforts in helping those impacted by domestic violence.
McCready thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and stressed that domestic violence can impact anyone and everyone.
“Domestic violence crosses all social, racial, religious, ethnic and economic backgrounds,” McCready said. “It can happen anywhere, it happens everywhere, in all communities. And it doesn’t just affect the victims, it impacts all of us, especially the victims’ children. This is why awareness is so important, and why we are so grateful to the Commissioners for their support.”
McCready said the local DVSSP offers a wide array of services, including access to safe houses, assistance with Protection From Abuse orders and various prevention programs for adults and children. The office also provides programs for schools and organizations all throughout the year.
DVSSP kicked off the month-long awareness initiative with a “Peace from Domestic Violence Walk” on Sept. 28 at the Church of the Covenant in Washington. In attendance for the event were many family members of loved ones who lost their lives as a result of domestic violence.
McCready said the annual Peace at Home Benefit Dinner will be held at the Hilton Gardens at Southpointe on Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information about this awareness event, call 724-852-2373 or 724-223-5478.
McCready encouraged all residents to promote awareness of domestic violence as well as to remember the victims of domestic violence in Greene County, “not just throughout October but all year long.”
Locally, McCready said the office sees an average of roughly 20 new domestic violence each month; these include both male and female victims as well as concerned family/friends/significant others.
She added that there is an average of 100 PFAs Protection From Abuse Orders filed yearly in Greene. However, in 2018 there were 97 PFAs filed, and so far in 2019 the office has already filed 95.
The Greene County DVSSP office is located at 43 North Morgan Street in Waynesburg. Residents interested in finding out more information about domestic violence awareness and prevention may stop in at the office Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or call the office at 724-852-2373.
The office also provides a hotline for anyone needing any form of assistance in domestic violence incidents (such as victims, their family members or friends); the hotline phone number is 724-852-2463.