Commissioners declare October Domestic Violence Awareness Month

On Monday, Oct. 6 in the Old Jail meeting room in Millersburg, the Holmes County Commissioners passed a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In attendance at the meeting was Tina Zickefoose, outreach specialist and advocate for OneEighty.

According to Zickefoose, last year she served 95 clients. This year she has currently served 171 clients and counting, meaning the number of cases being reported to OneEighty has risen drastically.

She said many of the inquiries to her office pertain to OneEighty being able to provide advice and direction and connecting the dots between the individual and the proper resource.

Asked if there was any correlation between domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse and financial issues, Zickefoose said it all plays a role in escalating violence.

Commissioner Eric Strouse asked if there was a particular age group that is more prevalent in seeking OneEighty’s services, and Zickefoose said while the national demographics show the biggest domestic violence reports between the ages of 18-24, her biggest age demographics fall between the ages of 38-44.

“I think we’re isolated here, and people aren’t aware of resources,” Zickefoose said. “People want to hold on to their relationships, and they don’t want to give up. I think it takes them until they are a little older in life until they’ve finally had enough.”

Stacey Rehm, shelter services manager at OneEighty in Wooster, said statistics show one out of four women and one out of six men are victims of some type of domestic violence.

“Our shelter remains pretty full,” Rehm said. “We have so many homeless that we are designated for, but the majority is domestic violence victims, so we are greatly appreciative of the collaboration with other agencies to help serve these victims.”

Rehm said they have a 44-bed shelter with 12 bedrooms, and they do accept male victims of abuse.

She said they are grateful for the commissioners' support.

As a way of bringing more awareness to the month, OneEighty will present In Her Shoes, a dramatic presentation of how domestic violence impacts lives.

This free event will take place Wednesday, Oct. 15, with presentations from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. at the OneEighty Millersburg office, 34-C S. Clay St. Reservations are required by calling 330-674-1020 or 330-804-5837. Those wishing to attend can simply leave their name, phone number, number of people attending and time they will attend. Reservations may be made right up until the time of each presentation.

According to Zickefoose, the objective of this presentation is to increase awareness of the struggles women with abusive partners face in their everyday lives, to illustrate domestic violence isn’t only an individual issue but rather a community tragedy, and to show everyone has a role in the movement to end domestic violence.

Zickefoose said she is coming off a recent presentation of In Her Shoes with the Wayne County Child Support Bureau staff, and she said they all reiterated the value of this experience.

“It’s very powerful,” Zickefoose said. “Nobody comes out of it feeling really good, but they do come out of it feeling educated and very empathetic and compassionate toward victims of domestic violence. Unfortunately, it is here in our community.”

While domestic violence reports are on the rise in the area as seen by the increase in reports to OneEighty, Zickefoose said one positive she sees in that number rising is the stigma of domestic violence is being lessened and more women are willing to step up and report cases of abuse, which is a move in the right direction.

“I get a lot of referrals,” Zickefoose said. “I think that people are more aware than ever that we are here to help and that more people are calling in to see how we can help them.”

She said the stigma surrounding domestic violence can be one of embarrassment or shame, especially in a small, rural community like Holmes County. She said many people struggle with the idea of others knowing what goes on in their lives.

“I totally get that,” Zickefoose said. “But it is nothing to be ashamed about. This is about working together to keep everybody safe.”

That safety often isn’t only the mother or even a father suffering from abuse, but in many cases it extends to children. Preventing ongoing abuse is exactly what OneEighty is hoping to do, and Zickefoose said the commissioners honoring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month helps provide knowledge and awareness that there is no shame for victims of abuse to seek help and direction.

In addition, the public is invited to join OneEighty for Survivors’ Day on Oct. 18 from 1-4 p.m. at 104 Spink St. in Wooster.

This event will be a restorative celebration filled with self-care, creativity and community, and it will include a special discussion from a domestic violence survivor.

Those in attendance will experience the power of reiki therapy, sound baths, and meditation techniques created to soothe the body, mind and soul.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 330-264-8498.