Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclaimed in Elkins

ELKINS -- Mayor Jerry Marco signed a proclamation this week declaring October Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Elkins.

Representatives from multiple local organizations, including Centers Against Violence, Youth Health, the Randolph County prosecutor's office and The Health Plan, joined Marco for the signing.

"This is an issue we are trying to educate people about and make them aware that domestic violence is out there," Marco told The Inter-Mountain. "And a lot of people who are in that type of situation don't feel safe to come forward. We want them to know that there is help out there and there are ways we can help them be safe and secure."

Centers Against Violence, which was known as Women's Aid in Crisis until a name change in recent years, is one entity that provides a safe outlet for those dealing with domestic violence issues. Jennifer "J.J." Johnson, executive director of CAV, said help is just a phone call away.

"We provide emergency shelter and have a 24-hour hotline so that people can call any time of the day or the night," she told The Inter-Mountain. "Our shelter is staffed 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, so there is always someone there."

The hotline number for those seeking help is 1-800-339-1185.

Johnson said CAV also offers advocacy services for those suffering from domestic violence, and that her organization can refer individuals to community resources to help them meet any needs they may have.

Along with Randolph County, Centers Against Violence provides services in Tucker, Braxton, Barbour, Upshur and Webster counties. Johnson said if someone calls from another county outside of the Elkins area, CAV will connect them with a staff member who works in the area they are calling from.

"We have offices in each county in our coverage area," Johnson said. "So there is help out there for people no matter which county they are calling from."

She added that domestic violence can occur in different ways, and not just as a man abusing a woman.

"It can be a woman abusing a man, it can be between same-sex couples, or it can be family members abusing one another," she said. "Then you have children who are victims too, because when they are witnessing domestic violence, it is a traumatic event for them. So they need help as well and we can get kids the services they need."

In the proclamation, Marco urged all citizens of Elkins to actively participate in scheduled activities and programs sponsored by Centers Against Violence and the Randolph County Prosecutor's Office to work toward the elimination of personal and institutional violence.

"We want everyone to know that we have systems in place where people can get help," Marco said. "A lot of the time people suffer through domestic violence for years before they finally get the courage to seek out help. They don't have to do that, because there are people who are ready and willing to help get them out of the situation they are in."

In addition to the CAV hotline, help can be sought out by texting 304-840-SAFE. For more information, go to centersagainstviolence.org.