(Le Mars) — One of every three to four women will experience some type of domestic violence during her lifetime. October is recognized as “National Domestic Violence Awareness Month” and Cathy Van Maanen with the Council of Sexual
Assault and Domestic Violence wants people to know how common domestic violence is within our area of Plymouth County.
Van Maanen calls the statistics an epidemic.
You may have noticed purple colored ribbons hanging on doorways of area businesses, or even people wearing purple colored ties, scarfs, shirts, and other clothing items.
Van Maanen says the services provided by the Council on Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence are free and remains confidential.
The CSADV official tells of other ways the agency helps domestic violence victims.
Often times a victim of domestic violence will return to the abuser. Van Maanen offers an explanation as to why victims go back to be with those that inflicted the abuse. She says the abuser will use power, control, along with intimidation on the victim, making that victim feel compelled to return.
Van Maanen says she deals with more than 150 reported cases of domestic violence in Plymouth County each year, and every week on average, two new cases of domestic violence are referred to her agency.
