Editor's Note: This is the first in a four-part series on domestic violence.

Ann DeLaney returns to Kosciusko County Wednesday for a free public meeting about domestic violence.

The presentation is at 4 p.m. in Center Lake Pavilion. DeLaney is director of the Julian Center in Indianapolis. Delaney appeared earlier this year on July 13.

The Julian Center is a nonprofit agency providing counseling, safe shelter, education and advocacy for women and children who are survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Through outreach and consultation, the Julian Center staff educates the community about domestic violence and its impact.

Programs and services are designed to contribute to a significant reduction in the incidence of violence against women and their children, to support survivors in healing, and to help break the intergenerational cycle of abuse.

An Indiana University of Law graduate, DeLaney is a former deputy prosecuting attorney, head of the Felony Sex Offense and Child Abuse Unit and commissioner of the Marion Superior Courts. She is a weekly panelist on the public television program "Indiana Week in Review" and is a partner with her daughter and husband in the law firm DeLaney & DeLaney LLC.

DeLaney's appearance is sponsored by the task force to establish a Victim Service Center in Kosciusko County.

The group, headed by Warsaw Police Department's victims assistance coordinator Becky Moreno, said the WPD responds to more than 400 cases of domestic violence a year.

Incidents of domestic violence, battery, trouble with a man, elder abuse and other forms of family violence are underreported. Charges are rarely brought to a judge.

"The biggest obstacle is the community, which is not aware of the problem," Moreno said. "One out of 10 incidents are reported so it's hard to get the message out."

Domestic violence crosses all social and economic levels. Middle and upper income women won't report abuse. They may have other resources.

"They are more concerned about their image and their lifestyle and the consequences of exposing their abuser," Moreno said.

"Do they take everything away from their children? Do they take the children to a two-bedroom apartment from a $250,000 suburban home? Do they expect the kids to give up their own room, computers, extracurricular activities and friends?

"It's an underserved population because they're so silent. For the most part, they never experienced violence when they grew up. They truly believe they did something wrong and they stay with the abuser."

Moreno said violence can start after years of marriage.

"We want to develop a one-stop center with outreach programs as well as a place to stay."

The task force plans to initiate a "Cut It Out" program with local hairdressers.

"The world we're living in is much more violent. We've got to put our foot down. It's a huge problem," Moreno said.

She has been a victims counselor for more than 10 years. When someone calls she sees what they need, plans safety procedures and does a follow up, if necessary.

She investigates rape incidents at the schools and presents programs to students.

The victims assistance coordinator has a staff of volunteers who take calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The county doesn't have an equivalent service.

The county prosecutor's office has someone to help a victim through a maze of legalities, but a lawsuit has to be filed.

"We want to get the community on the same page," said Michelle Bormet, the task force's secretary.

Bormet developed the Victims Service Center Web site: www.victimservicecenter.org

The Web site contains information and facts about all types of domestic violence and the help victims can receive. It even has a link to clear the victim's computer browser.

On the Net:

www.juliancenter.org

For more information, contact: Becky Moreno, victim assistance coordinator, Warsaw Police Department 574-372-9539 or e-mail her at: bam@kconline.com [[In-content Ad]]