A central Illinois domestic abuse advocate is reporting a year-over-year decline in the reports of abuse.

Andrea Kocher is the Director of Services at Willow Tree Missions and indicates that from last July to this July, her requests for services have decreased.

Kocher indicates that around June and July, they can typically see a spike in individuals coming to them for services, but at the halfway point of the calendar year, she indicates it has not been nearly as busy as years past.

Kocher is optimistic that the education they have been doing is starting to work. She is hopeful that awareness of the issue of domestic abuse is becoming more prominent.

Kocher is also concerned that the decrease could be due to people not calling in their issues. She indicates that the summer is naturally a slower time for Willow Tree.

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