A special tree planting ceremony in the Daviess County courthouse lawn at Gallatin this week will be carried out in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
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A special tree planting in the courthouse yard on the Gallatin business square will occur at 3 p.m. on Oct. 14 to emphasize Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A short program involving Gallatin FFA Chapter members and sponsored by the Green Hills Women’s Shelter will follow the tree planting.
Domestic violence is a reality in this community as well as throughout the 9-county region served by the women’s shelter located at neighboring Trenton. A total of 719 victims (441 women, 278 children) were assisted by the shelter during the period of Oct. 1, 1998, through Sept. 30, 1999. Most (495) of the overall total were women or children residing in the 9-county service area. Of this count, 42 were from Daviess County.
The cost of domestic violence reaches into everyone’s pocket. National studies indicate the average charge for medical services to abused women, children and older people totals as much as $1,633 per person per year, excluding psychological or follow-up costs. Ninety-four percent of abused women lose at least one work day per year; eight percent of victims average 7.6 days of lost work per year.
Children from violent homes are more likely to be involved in violent criminal activity in the future than their non-abused peers. Twenty-four percent of abused working women reported losing a job and 50% reported being unable to attend school. And similar statistics go on and on.
The Green Hills Women’s Shelter is operated by Cheryl Leffler, director; Phyllis Heckenbach, coordinator; Tonya Willcuts, night staff; with help from volunteers from throughout the region like Louise Hass of Gallatin. You are invited to participate in tomorrow’s tree planting and brief program focusing on the problems caused by domestic violence.