October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

 Every 15 seconds, a woman is beaten in this country.

 For approximately 4 million women, the battering requires medical or police attention.

 3 out of 4 women will experience domestic violence.

 Annually 4,000 women’s abuse ends - they die.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Northwoods Coalition for Family Safety (NCFS) invites you to stand with them against domestic violence during this month of awareness. Ending violence begins at home, not overseas.

NCFS makes a difference for victim/survivors of domestic violence in our community. NCFS has been providing continuous advocacy to victim/survivors since 1978. This year, NCFS has received 718 crisis contacts, provided a safe place to stay for 111 individuals for a total of 774 nights, and provided advocacy and crisis counseling to 407 persons dealing with domestic violence in their homes or families. Last month alone, advocates worked with 62 individuals experiencing domestic violence.

Now, NCFS has stepped up its commitment to provide victim centered services and a safe, comforting haven to victim/survivors. NCFS has just completed amazing facility renovations with the help of the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs, while still providing victim/survivors short term crisis shelter. NCFS has improved capacity to provide long term emergency housing to women and their children and short term emergency shelter to men. NCFS advocates are available 24 hours a day to provide emotional support and advocacy to domestic violence victim/survivors. Advocates work hand in hand with our community’s law enforcement and medical providers to provide advocacy to victim/survivors as soon as possible.

NCFS is participating in the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women “Live Free” flag campaign. Whenever there is a domestic violence homicide, there is a short time of media attention and a community feeling of helplessness. The flag campaign is a way to give domestic violence homicides more meaning. Every time there is a domestic violence homicide in Minnesota, flags will be displayed across the State to bring awareness of the domestic violence homicide and to help start a local community conversation about ending domestic violence. In the Bemidji area, this flag will be displayed at the Northland Apartments on America Avenue.

NCFS is asking for your help in standing against domestic violence. Please consider supporting NCFS by making a donation to Northwoods Coalition for Family Safety. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 563, Bemidji, MN 56619. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your donations may be tax deductible. Donations of personal hygiene products and new or gently used clothing are always welcome. We have created a list of greatly needed items at http://www.target.com under the organization wish list titled, “Northwoods Coalition.”