CHARLOTTE, N.C. — State and local officials gathered Tuesday in Charlotte to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, who is also running for governor, was joined by Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Deputy Chief Jackie Husley, Safe Alliance President and CEO Laura Lawrence, and Atrium Health SANE nurse and forensic program coordinator Angie Alexander at the Safe Alliance location in Uptown Charlotte.
"October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to raise public awareness about domestic violence and educate about the resources available to North Carolinians," Stein's office said in a written statement Monday. "Already in North Carolina this year, 57 people have lost their lives to domestic violence homicides."
The number of domestic violence homicides statewide in 2022 totaled 47 deaths.
Recent data from the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence shows the number of domestic violence homicides now exceeds the number of such killings committed last year.
“Domestic violence has no place in our homes,” McFadden said.
Experts say there are many reason victims may not come forward. One reason is stigma, but also the psychological, financial, and emotional ties they have with their abuser.
“The abuser seeks to get total control of their intimate partner," Stein said.
On top of that, it's not always easy to report domestic violence.
Many organizations in Mecklenburg County want to make the process smoother.
“It's an extremely lonely feeling to go into a courthouse, and certainly the loneliest person in a courtroom is a person who has been battered and abused," Merriweather said.
Merriweather and others are working to create The Umbrella Center, a family justice center to put resources in one place. It's a process Rashida Gittens wishes would have been easier.
“Unfortunately, I was there for nine years, and I almost lost my life," Gittens said.
Gittens doesn't call herself a survivor of domestic abuse, she calls herself a victor. She encourages others to speak out.
“You’re priority is your safety, you’re priority is making it out alive," Gittens said. "You must expose it and tell anyone who will listen."
According to CMPD, the department responds to an average of 38,000 domestic violence related calls every year.
“It impacts every aspect of our lives," Melody Gross, founder of Courageous SHIFT, said.
Gross is also a survivor of abuse. She now helps other women fight back against domestic violence.
"No one is immune from it, even if were not directly impacted," Gross said.
Legal Aid of North Carolina also has attorneys that work to help those fighting the battle, figure out the court system. Stop the Cycle NC | Start here to end abuse.
Safe Alliance provides resources to provide hope and healing for those dealing with these crisis situations by providing a safe haven at the domestic violence shelter. The agency operates a victim assistance court program and the 24/7 Hope Line at 980-771-HOPE.
Contact Lexi Wilson at lwilson@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
If you or a loved one is facing domestic violence, help is readily available. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Resources for help are available in both North Carolina and South Carolina.
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