Rockwall city council recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month

ROCKWALL, TX – October 20, 2020 — The Rockwall city council proclaimed the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Rockwall during yesterday’s regular meeting.

The council welcomed members of Women In Need, city and state officials, during the proclamation. WIN Executive Director Connie Pettitt spoke to the fact that although domestic violence has already been an epidemic prior to COVID-19, a sharp spike in domestic abuse cases has been reported since the pandemic began.

“It’s really important that this community continues to spread awareness. It’s true that we’ve seen so much more domestic violence cases since the pandemic, with kids and people who are trapped at home with their abusers. Sadly this COVID-19 is far reaching, not only the disease itself but for these abusive relationships.”

“It seems the impacts of COVID-19 are around every corner, and for those who are behind locked doors with those who are supposed to love them, it makes that abusive situation much worse,” said Rockwall County Judge David Sweet. “I want to thank Connie and her team for all they do to help victims of domestic abuse in the community.”

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a woman is assaulted or beaten every nine seconds in the United States. An average of 20 people are physically abused by their intimate partners every minute, with one in three women and one in four men having been physically abused by an intimate partner. One in five women and one in seven men have been severely, physically abused.

Women In Need, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit agency that offers both residential and non-residential services for victims of domestic violence in Hunt, Rains and Rockwall counties. WIN fulfills its mission by providing a 24/7 emergency hotline and shelter, as well as advocates that deliver crisis intervention, legal advocacy, group and individual counseling and referrals to those affected by domestic violence.

WIN strives to offer refuge, empowerment, and restoration to keep our communities and families safe. In serving the community, WIN also offers a Prevention Education and a Community Awareness Program for youth and adults in the school systems in all three of the counties they serve. For more info visit www.wintexas.org.

By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News.

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