An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by their partner each year. One in every four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, and one in three teenagers will experience dating violence before they are adults. These are statistics according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month to bring awareness to the acts and provide ways for victims to seek help before it is too late. April Slone, domestic violence program coordinator and outreach advocate for Beaman Home, has more than 16 years of experience in the domestic violence field. She provides case management to victims who do not need or want to enter the women’s and children’s shelter, and is responsible for public education on domestic violence issues. She oversees the Beaman Home’s Incarcerated Women’s Support Group at the Kosciusko County Jail. Slone provides case management and encouragement to victims who are either not yet ready to leave their abuser, or who have recently left and are rebuilding their lives violence free. Slone said some of the reasons women don’t leave domestic violence situations are due to living in fear that they will not be able to afford to live on their own. Slone said domestic violence situations not only effect the victim, abuser, but also the children. Slone also works with local schools to teach teenagers warning signs of domestic violence relationships of teenage students and how to avoid those situations. She said parents can be proactive in making sure there children avoid domestic violence situations by monitoring their child’s computer use, and getting to know the teens their children spend time with as well as the teen’s parents. The Beaman Home provides a 24/7 shelter for domestic violence victims and their children who are fleeing the abuse they suffer. In addition to offering shelter, the Beaman Home offers meals, personal care items, case management, and life skills training. They also offer a domestic violence program that provides individual case management for victims of domestic violence who do not need or want to enter the shelter. To contact the Beaman Home call the 24/7 crisis hotline at 574-267-7701 or toll tree at 877-725-9363, email info@thebeamanhome.org or visit www.thebeamanhome.org
