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‘Take A Stand’ against domestic violence

PHOTO PROVIDED “An Empty Place at the Table” display at Ross Library is available through October.

By JEREMY ARMSTRONG

For The Express

LOCK HAVEN — Domestic and intimate partner violence is a public health crisis. Only a sustained, coordinated, and collaborative community effort can put an end it.

According to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence Domestic Violence Fatality Report, there were 117 documented deaths across the state in 2017, representing 78 females and 37 males who lost their lives to domestic violence. Sadly, 2017 also marked the highest number of domestic violence fatalities by firearms in more than a decade.

Although Clinton County has not experienced a documented domestic violence fatality since 2015, our county is not immune to victimization. Since 1986, there have been at least 19 domestic violence homicides in Clinton County. Of these 19 fatalities, approximately two-thirds were gun-related homicides — with the youngest victim being just 3 years old.

Several weeks ago, the Pennsylvania State House, and then the PA Senate, passed HB 2060, with bipartisan support. This landmark piece of legislation, signed into law by Governor Wolf on Oct. 12, includes critical protections for victims, including, mandatory relinquishment of weapons for all final Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders; removes family and friends as options for third-party safekeeping of weapons; reduces the window of time for weapon relinquishment from 60 days to 24 hours for misdemeanor domestic violence crimes; requires accompaniment by sheriff of law enforcement when serving a PFA (unless plaintiff chooses otherwise); and, permits the time a perpetrator is incarcerated to not count toward the 90 days of a temporary PFA.

While this new law will not prevent all future domestic violence homicides in Clinton County or across the Commonwealth, it is certainly a major step in the right direction, offering additional safeguards and protections to victims of violence. More still needs to be done, and we ask you to join us in taking a stand against domestic and intimate partner violence.

With October being the nationally-recognized Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), the Clinton County Women’s Center invites community members to join us in a number of awareness events.

Tonight from 6-8 p.m. the Women’s Center will host a Domestic Violence Vigil at Triangle Park in downtown Lock Haven, honoring all victims and survivors of domestic violence.

And for the first time ever,the Women’s Center will host a second vigil in downtown Renovo. This vigil will be held on Monday, Oct. 29., from 6 – 8 p.m. at 16th Street Park. Both vigils will include speakers, luminaries, music, informational displays, an open mic, and conclude with a candlelight vigil.

Additionally, you may notice select businesses throughout Clinton County joining us in Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Throughout October, participating organizations are displaying DVAM boxes, which include facts on domestic violence, CCWC pens, notepads, and information, as well as purple ribbons, which commemorate victims and survivors of domestic violence. As part of the Silent Witness Project, some organizations are displaying individual life-sized silhouettes, honoring each individual who has lost his or her life to domestic violence in Clinton County since 1986, including their name and story.

Finally, the Ross Library in Lock Haven is hosting An Empty Place at the Table display throughout October. This display honors each of the 19 victims we’ve lost to domestic violence in Clinton County since 1986, with a symbolic 20th place setting for the unnamed victims. It is a sobering thought to think that we soon might need a bigger table in order to seat the lives we’ve lost to domestic violence in our community.

Whether you start a dialogue, attend a vigil, volunteer, donate, or vote, the importance of sustained community support cannot be understated. Please join us as we continue to “Take A Stand” against domestic violence.

CCWC services are free, confidential, and professional. Our emergency hotline is staffed 24/7 by trained advocates and volunteers, and can be reached anytime by calling 570-748-9509. For more information, please visit our website at www.ccwcsafe.org, or follow our page on Facebook. If your school, business, or organization is interested in receiving awareness or educational programs, please contact us as outreach@ccwcsafe.org.

——

Jeremy Armstrong is Outreach & Education Coordinator Clinton County Women’s Center.

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