Domestic Violence Awareness Month observed in Highland County

Highland County commissioners Terry Britton, David Daniels and Brad Roades recognized the upcoming Domestic Violence Awareness Month observance with a proclamation during their Wednesday, Sept. 27 meeting.

Accepting the proclamation were representatives of the Alternatives to Violence Center, including director Dara Gullette; staff member Lynn Knisley; board president Pam Limes; and board member Brandon Stratton.

Before reading the proclamation, commissioners voted 3-0 to authorize an annual request from Gullette seeking permission for the Alternatives to Violence Center to apply for the revenue from the marriage license fund.

Gullette said the center generally receives approximately $10,000 from Highland County and $10,000 from Clinton County from those fees.

“We've been receiving this funding since before my time,” Gullette said. “It's very important for us to use those monies to go toward our [grant] cash match dollars.

“It is important for us to receive these marriage license fees and continue serving the victims in our communities because it's desperately needed.”

Locally, Gullette said that the AVC is “averaging about anywhere from 60 to 70 new clients per month at the agency, so it’s definitely on the upswing again.” In addition, Stratton said that “domestic violence is the highest call for service for the Highland County Sheriff's Office,” with the number of clients of the center “getting into the thousands,” as both adults and children are served by the center.

Some of the national statistics noted in the commissioners’ proclamation also included: domestic violence “affects over 10 million Americans each year; one in three Americans have witnessed an incident of domestic violence; and children that grew up in violent homes are believed to be abused and neglected at a rate higher than the national average.”

If you are in need of help, the AVC has locations in both Highland and Clinton counties. The Highland County office is located at 135 North High Street, suite 1, Hillsboro, and can be reached at (937) 393-8118. To reach the 24-hour crisis line, call (888) 816-1146.

Services provided by the Alternatives to Violence Center include an emergency shelter for survivors and their children; personal, medical and legal advocacy; parenting programs; support groups; therapy; safety planning; housing and relocation; information, education and referrals; the Community Advocacy Project; and transportation and cell phones.

Anyone interested in supporting the AVC program and shelter, including through monetary donations or donations of needed supplies, can find more information at: https://www.avconline.info/support-us. Volunteers are also welcomed.

Gullette also encouraged the commissioners and the community to attend the AVC’s 12th annual trivia night fundraiser, scheduled for Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Hillsboro Orpheum, 135 North High St.

This year’s theme is Marvel Heroes — “Not All Heroes Wear Capes.” Tickets are $400 per table for a minimum of five and maximum of eight players per team. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place teams.

“It's a lot of fun,” Limes said. “You have to turn your phones in so you can’t go online and find out the answers. It's all above board, but people really get into it. It's fun.”

Dinner is provided, and there will be a cash bar. There will be a costume contest, and attendees are encouraged to dress like your favorite Marvel hero. The event will also include bonus balls, intermission games and more.

“This is a way for us to kind of have a fun event for a serious cause, but to remind everybody that we're here and what our services are,” Gullette said. “A lot of the times during our trivia, we like to do some questions about our stats and things that our agency provides, along with the theme of our event each year.

“We are currently recruiting teams and donors and sponsorships for that.”

The registration deadline is Oct. 20. To register, or for more information, call (937) 393-8118 or follow the Alternatives to Violence Center on Facebook.

After meeting with the AVC representatives, Britton read the proclamation on behalf of commissioners to recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Highland County and to “urge all citizens to work together to eliminate domestic violence from our community.”

Check back to highlandcountypress.com for more from Wednesday's meeting.