The director of Fayette County’s domestic abuse, awareness and care organization Greenhouse 17 views this month’s domestic violence awareness effort as the most critical in her many years of helping survivors.
Darlene Thomas brought an update to Lexington city council members this week. Thomas said many women report having a feeling of isolation during the shutdown period of coronavirus earlier this year. “And they’re also reporting to us that the level of violence and the severity of violence was increased greatly during the time of more lockout period, with the kids at home and nowhere to go and trapped with their intimate partners who are abusive,” said Thomas.
Thomas said there were higher rates of physical and sexual violence and higher rates of gun violence or threats with weapons. The director of the shelter and associated services in rural Fayette County, which serves 17 counties, noted there have been 18 domestic violence related fatalities in Kentucky from March through September. Thomas added there were 28 in 2019.
Thomas urged Kentuckians to maintain vigilance when it comes to spotting signs of intimate partner abuse. She said it’s important to reach out to neighbors, check on kids, and families. “Don’t assume that there’s not a victim of intimate partner violence in your neighboring home or neighboring apartment or down the street. If you’re worried, if you’re not seeing people, if you know there’s a history, if there’s a way to safely reach out and make sure they know how to get to help, that’s really critical to survivors,” explained Thomas.
Thomas requested the wearing of purple on October 22nd during this domestic violence awareness month. Thomas said that helps reinforce to victims the option to seek help.
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