(Le Mars) — During Tuesday’s county supervisor meeting, Cathy Van Maanen with the Council on Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence spoke before the county board to inform them of some of the facts and statistics related to domestic violence. Van Mannen mentioned October is recognized as “National Domestic Violence Month.”
Van Maanen says domestic violence happens most often to women, but she says men and boys are also victims. Van Maanen says when we hear about domestic violence and abuse, people immediately think of only the physical abuse.
But she says, domestic violence also leaves emotional and mental scars.
Van Maanen says she has witnessed victims of domestic violence become homeless, literally overnight. She says the domestic abusers think of themselves first, before any thought is extended to family members.
The Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence official says
unfortunately, the number of cases of domestic violence continues to rise.
Van Maanen says housing is in short supply for domestic violence victims.
She says through the program, a coordinated effort is utilized within the region to locate available housing for domestic violence victims.
Following the presentation, the members of the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation naming the month of October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month for Plymouth County.”
