The Partnership is kicking off its annual Stop Violence Give Hope campaign Oct. 1, the beginning of domestic violence awareness month. The campaign will provide awareness of domestic violence through educating communities about the existence and serious consequences of domestic violence. 

In 2011, Tennessee had a reported total of 96 domestic violence homicides, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. For the past three years Tennessee has ranked in the top five states having the highest domestic violence homicide rate. Partnership’s Family Violence Center aims to hinder the continuance of domestic violence and its fatalities within the community.

“If the only message we get out this month and this year is that domestic violence kills and help is available at our 24/7 hotline at 423 755-2700, then I will be very happy.” said Regina McDevitt, director of Crisis Services at Partnership. “Our community has witnessed quite a bit of violence lately, some of it domestic violence, and we simply have to put a stop to it. We served over 8,000 victims in this area last year. Help and hope is available by calling the hotline, where victims can be connected to emergency shelter, a counselor to help create a safety plan or court advocacy, and referral to support services like child care and continuing education. Our services are very comprehensive, they are free, and it all starts with one call.”

Organizers said Partnership, alone, cannot spread the awareness of help to all domestic violence victims. The campaign asks the community to help stop violence and give hope to victims by sharing the 24-hour hotline through social media and traditional word of mouth, and by hosting domestic violence speakers at their church, civic, and business functions. Donations to support these greatly needed services are always appreciated. More information can be found at StopViolenceGiveHope.org or at Partnershipfca.com

Domestic Violence Statistics:
·         Almost one-third of female homicide victims that are reported in police records are killed by an intimate partner.

·         In 70-80% of intimate partner homicides, no matter which partner was killed, the man physically abused the woman before the murder.

·         Less than one-fifth of victims reporting an injury from intimate partner violence sought medical treatment following the injury.

·         Intimate partner violence results in more than 18.5 million mental health care visits each year.