Sporting the color purple, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Plymouth County’s Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Director, Cathy Van Mannen, seated in the center, is surrounded by the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors, and Plymouth County Auditor Stacy Feldman.
(Le Mars) — October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness month, and Cathy
Van Maanen with the Council of Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence appeared before
the county supervisors to share with them some alarming information regarding
domestic violence in Plymouth County. Van Mannen informed the supervisors that
the Council of Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence serves a 19-county region. Van
Mannen says physical scars left from a domestic violence incident can heal, but
the emotional scars go deep, and often times leaves the victim to never fully
recover emotionally.
The local advocate says Plymouth County is no different than any other place in
our nation, and she shared with the county supervisors some startling statistics.
Van Mannen says what has changed is the severity of the reported abuse.
Saying, it takes a community to make changes, Van Mannen told of how the town is
turning to the color of purple.
Following Van Mannen’s testimony, the county supervisors approved a proclamation
declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness month in Plymouth County.
