Letters To the Editor

Great Mills

Stop Domestic Violence

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month -- a time to remember victims who have been hurt or killed by domestic violence, celebrate survivors and increase public awareness of this tragedy that affects so many Americans each year.

The extent and the impact of domestic violence in our society is greater than many people realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, domestic violence results in nearly 2 million injuries and 1,300 deaths nationwide every year, and approximately 30 percent of women have experienced intimate-partner violence at some point during their lifetime.

In addition to the direct harm a victim faces, the effect on children who witness violence at home is immense, with more than half of adult victims living in households with children younger than 12, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

A growing trend I have seen in recent years is the need to expand our trauma counseling services at Walden/Sierra to serve more children who witness domestic violence. Additionally, children who grow up witnessing violence are more likely to perpetrate violence in their households as adults, continuing the cycle of violence from one generation to the next.

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I ask residents of Southern Maryland to speak out against domestic violence and come together to stop this tragedy. I also urge anyone in a violent relationship to seek help. At Walden/Sierra, our counselors are available to offer assistance 24 hours a day and provide "Help for Today; Hope for Tomorrow."

Kathleen O'Brien

Director, Walden/Sierra