With the economy stymied, domestic violence victims in the Golden Triangle area are paying the price.
More victims sought help at the Columbus Safe Haven Inc. shelters in 2009 than in the past 23 years or more, said spokeswoman Joyce Tucker.
The increase in victims who need assistance is partly caused by the down economy, she said.
“A lot of these women, when they leave us, their economic situation is not great,” Tucker said. “If they don”t go back to their significant other, they might find themselves in a homeless state.”
“A lot of them do go back,” she continued. “That was the case even prior to the economy being in such bad order.”
More than half of the victims in shelters reported that they could not find employment because of the economy, according to the 2010 Mary Kay “Truth About Abuse” survey.
Safe Haven, which covers 10 area counties, saw the number of victims increase by 24 percent, from 430 to 535, in 2009, Tucker said. The number of people staying in Safe Haven shelters during that time also increased by about 35 percent, from 147 to 198.
“And we”re expecting all the numbers to increase again this year,” she added.
Safe Haven has already served 324 victims this year, and sheltered 71, Tucker said.
Victims, mostly women and children, are also staying in shelters longer, she said. Victims stayed an average of 12.5 days in 2008 but an average of 32 days in 2009.
In 2009, two laws — one requiring anger management classes and one establishing 23 hours of cool-off jail time — went into effect, said Columbus police Capt. Fred Shelton.
In Columbus, 97 people appeared in court to face charges of domestic violence in 2008, while only 69 people were charged in 2009.
The rise in domestic violence victims seeking shelter in the Columbus area is a trend seen by shelters around the nation, the Mary Kay”s survey found.
Three out of four shelters have reported an increase in women seeking assistance from abuse, the survey states.
Next year, the situation will only get worse, said 88 percent of officials at shelters surveyed.
“A woman has to find a place of safety,” Tucker said. “A lot of women have been seeking help.”
Safe Haven was established in 1983 to help battered women and their children escape their abusers.
The facility offers a transitional home, for 30 days, while they plan their next move.
Safe Haven was established through the efforts of local law enforcement officials, area businesses and others. The facility serves clients in Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Monroe, Attala, Clay, Choctaw, Webster, Montgomery, Calhoun and Chickasaw counties.
To speak with a Safe Haven counselor about domestic violence, call 662-337-6040.
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