October is a big month for domestic abuse support groups. 

Ashlyn Burrus with Dove in DeWitt County, explains Dove in DeWitt County is a non-profit focused on supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence. This could be financial, emotional, or any other form of support someone may need. 

Burrus notes volunteers are an essential part of Dove. She says their food pantry would not be around if it were not for the dedicated volunteers. 

As school starts back up, Burrus explains the amount of domestic violence cases trends upwards. This could be due to higher stress levels in the parents.

A common question is "Why doesn't the victim just leave?" Burrus mentions many victims are reliant on their abusers financially or they are scared of what might happen if they did leave. You never know what someone's circumstances might be. 

If you believe you might be in a domestic violence situation, Dove has a 24-hour hotline you can reach at 217-935-6072. You can find more information about Dove in DeWitt County at doveinc.org