Image of woman struggling with a manIt is estimated that victims of domestic violence are more than three times as likely to be abused by a violent partner in times of high financial strain. 

That's just one of the statistics the Office for Women wants to get out during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

October is a great time to educate the community that domestic violence is a dangerous, complex problem that hurts mostly women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities and even pets.

Every year the Office for Women publishes a booklet listing all local Domestic Violence Awareness Month events and resources. It lists almost 100 local places or events where one can learn more about stopping, understanding and healing from domestic violence. To request a copy by mail, contact the Office for Women.

To educate families, especially teens, the Family Justice Center, a division of the Office for Women, and its partners will staff a Domestic Violence Awareness Resource Table at the Galleria Mall in White Plains on Oct. 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Staff members will answer questions and distribute resources on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.

Pet abuse is another form of domestic violence. Sometimes an animal is the only source of love an abused woman has, so she may do things she does not want to do, or stay in a relationship longer than is safe, because her abuser has threatened to kill or maim her pet. The Office for Women is working with the Westchester Animal Abuse Task Force to raise awareness of the link between pets and domestic violence. Contact the Office for Women for referrals on emergency veterinarians and shelter for pets in domestic violence situations. The Humane Society has a brochure, Protecting Your Pet from Domestic Violence, with answers to frequently asked questions on how to protect a pet from domestic violence.

Help stop domestic violence by learning about it and speaking out against it. Here are a few facts on domestic violence:

  • 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
  • The Westchester County District Attorney's Domestic Violence Bureau had nearly 3,000 intakes in 2009; 98 percent resulted in charges.
  • Nearly 1,000 incidents of domestic violence were reported in Westchester by people with disabilities in a 24-month period.
  • Westchester County police write over 10,000 Domestic Incident Reports a year.
  • Approximately 84 percent of elder abuse incidents are not reported.
  • 88 percent of pets in households with domestic violence are threatened, harmed or killed.
  • 3,700 victims of domestic violence were assisted as a result of the Office for Women's direct and contracted services in 2009.

The Westchester County Office for Women provides free information and services on issues such as equal rights and equal pay for women, child care, sexual assault, sexual harassment, employment, education and family violence. For more information in English and Spanish, contact the Office for Women.