SYRACUSE -- Thousands of people are affected by domestic and sexual violence every year, and now those at Vera House are seeing an increase in Onondaga County this year.
October is Domestic Awareness Month, and on Wednesday the center released its report to the community. Click here to download and read the report.
Randi Bregman is the Executive Director of Vera House and says based on the current trend, there will be more than 11,000 calls to the Syracuse Police Department for domestic violence. Bregman also estimates an increase in the number of arrests this year. She says calls to the Vera House 24-hour hotline are also on the rise.
Vera House offers support to those suffering from domestic and sexual violence.
If you or someone you know needs help, the hotline phone number is 315-468-3260.
Here are some other facts and figures:
- In 2009, local shelters provided safe space to 559 adult victims of domestic violence.
- Vera House's hotline answered 5, 172 calls in 2009.
- Through September 2010, the Vera House New Direction Program counseled 609 men, women, and children.
