You may have seen the purple signs cropping up around the area announcing that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

That there even is a Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a sign of progress. Domestic violence is now something that people are working to eradicate. It’s no longer quietly kept behind closed doors. It’s no longer shrugged off as a tool to keep unruly spouses or romantic partners in line.

The statistics surrounding domestic violence in the United States provide little room for cheer, however. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that a woman is assaulted or beaten in the United States about every nine seconds, and about 20 Americans are subject to physical abuse by their partners every minute. Typically, domestic violence hotlines field about 20,000 calls every day across the country. And if there is a gun in a home where domestic violence occurs, the odds that an incident will end in death skyrockets by 500%. When you add it all up, domestic violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.

From all indications, rates of domestic violence have increased over the last 18 months due to the stresses brought on by the pandemic. The United Nations has reported that domestic violence escalated 20% across the world in 2020.

Resources are available for those who need help. The Tri-County Help Center in St. Clairsville offers a 24-hour hotline –740-695-5441 — as well as shelter, counseling and support groups to those in need.