October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and a local domestic violence advocate says this is a complicated topic.

Jennifer Tolladay with DeWitt County DOVE says domestic violence is not always apparent to the victims. She says things can start as innocent little things and then snowball over time into full-blown abuse of both a physical and often, emotional nature. 

Victims of domestic violence in rural areas often face a tough path to escaping a situation than those in urban areas. According to Tolladay, in rural areas, domestic violence shelters are not as prevalent and transportation and safety are often harder to come by.

Victims of domestic violence are far more likely to find themselves depressed or contemplating suicide and Tolladay points out the domestic violence national hotline receives around 20,000 calls. She also points out, domestic violence towards men is not that uncommon.

Tolladay says for victims of domestic violence if they suspect their situation is one of domestic violence, they are likely a victim of an abuser. She says abusers have a sense of entitlement and want control over another person.