Domestic violence and sexual assault have received national attention in recent weeks due to the alleged actions of NFL players Ray Rice, Greg Hardy and Adrian Peterson, including a video showing Baltimore Ravens running back Rice punching his future wife Janay Palmer.
Statistics show that domestic violence and sexual assault are significant problems in our society.
Every five days a Virginian is killed by an intimate partner due to domestic violence, according to the Office of the [Va.] Chief Medical Examiner.
On average more than three women in the United States are murdered each day by their intimate partner, according to the Family Violence Prevention Fund.
15.5 million children in the United States live in families in which partner violence occurred at least once in the past year, according to the Family Violence Prevention Fund.
In the Fredericksburg region, Empowerhouse is here to help.
Empowerhouse provides emergency shelter, housing, court advocacy services, counseling for both survivors and their children, employment supports and assistance in getting back on the path to safety, dignity, respect and hope.
The local nonprofit is the only accredited provider of 24 hour free and confidential domestic violence services to victims in Planning District 16: Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, and King George.
For confidential assistance, call 540-373-9373 (24 hours a day) or 1-877-734-7238 (toll free).
To support the work of Empowerhouse, consider making a donation or volunteering. Details are available on the orgnization’s website.
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