Local child, youth council strives to raise awareness of domestic violence

For the past year, members of the Jenkins County Child and Youth Council have been working to raise awareness about spousal abuse and ways to prevent it.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Jenkins County Child and Youth Council would like to make people aware of the problem that is of- ten unreported.

From Jan. 1, through Sept. 31, there were 52 cases of domestic violence reported in Jenkins County. The 52 reports include 22 women and 30 children, which is an increase from previous years. Also, this year 33 victims of domestic violence have contacted the Safe Haven Crisis Line, seeking help and assistance.

"That number is far too high, and we support anything the Jenkins County Child and Youth Council can do to reduce that number," said Mary Harden, executive director of Safe Haven.

Safe Haven, located in Statesboro, serves Jenkins County and five other counties, (Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Screven and Washington,) and provides a safe place for abused women and their children to get away from their abuser.

If you or someone you know is being abused, free and confidential help is available by calling 1(800) 33-Haven or (912) 764-4605.