October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and DeWitt County DOVE is hoping the public will take some time and become more aware of what victims face when trying to escape their abusers.
Jennifer Tolladay with DeWitt County DOVE tells Regional Radio News it can take a victim seven to ten attempts to leave their abusers and oftentimes face shocking, even heinous, efforts of control and monitoring.
As victims are now able to get out and see friends, family, and coworkers as the COVID lockdowns begin to ease, Tolladay says they have seen a huge increase in their cases escalating. She indicates that was not unexpected due to the nature of the lockdowns and the lack of contact with people that would take notice of something wrong with an individual in these circumstances.
The DOVE 24/7 hotline is 217-935-6072 or their office line is 217-935-6619.