BUFFALO, N.Y. — Domestic violence is always highlighted in the month of October, but every day there is a call, a concern, a problem. At the Family Justice Center, they provide services and support to those in relationships that are simply NOT HEALTHY ... but listen to this...
Catharine Miles-Kania, CEO of the Family Justice Center, said "we have definitely seen an escalation in violence and victimization. We are specifically narrowing in on strangulation. Strangulation is a very lethal form of domestic violence, a one time strangulation increases the likelihood of homicide By 750% and we've seen an extreme escalation in strangulations over the last year. The numbers in terms of who's seeking our services, those numbers have gone down since COVID, but the level of danger and violence has not."
Ava Thomas, director of the Justice Center said "people who haven't come forward yet, your co-workers who you you would never even imagine that this is occurring. We're listening to these conversations and so it's really important to always have it Survivor focused and centered. Which can be hard when it's someone who is an idol, a sports figure, someone who's in entertainment. And so sometimes these conversations can be really, really difficult, but always keep in mind that survivors are listening."
The Family Justice Center is helping people from all walks of life.
"Even if someone is an undocumented individual, they're a citizen, they have no citizenship, they're undocumented there are special protections and laws that will assist a survivor who's experiencing that, so we're able to loop in some of our partners that we work with, Neighborhood legal services, Jewish Family Services. We're able to just swoop in and kind of help that person navigate the system so they're not doing it on their own."
This weekend, the second annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk will take place at Johnnie B. Wiley Sports Pavilion in Buffalo. Licensed therapists will be on hand. Everyone is asked to wear purple. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you are in need of help:
- FJC SafeLine at 716-558-SAFE (7233)
- BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program Staff can be reached by telephone at 716-858-4630 between 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Lighthouse, 716-831-7877