RESPOND, Inc. & Woburn PD Welcome October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

WOBURN, Mass. - Oct. 2, 2019 - PRLog -- RESPOND, Inc. yesterday welcomed October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will be the victim of domestic violence at some point in his or her lifetime, and, on average, every day two women in the United States are killed at the hands of a current or former intimate partner. As of October 1, 2019, 16 victims of domestic violence have lost their lives to homicide in Massachusetts already this year.*

Malden was the first town to pilot RESPOND's Law Enforcement Partnership program back in 2015, with Woburn joining the program in 2018. RESPOND has a Domestic Violence Counselor, on-site in the Woburn Police Department 3 days each week.  The Domestic Violence Counselor is able to connect with victims of domestic incidents within 24-48 hours of the initial call. RESPOND's Domestic Violence Counselor is trained to identify cases that have the potential to escalate and provide access to RESPOND's 24 hour crisis services. The Domestic Violence Counselor works closely with Woburn Police Department's Domestic Violence Detective, Mike Wells. This unique partnership allows us to take proactive measures to reach survivors and initiate services as opposed to waiting for survivors to find the time in this time of crisis where survival is the primary focus.

"RESPOND has been and continues to be an invaluable resource not only to the Woburn Police Department, but to the citizens of Woburn and others that are victimized in the City," said Woburn Police Chief Robert F. Rufo, Jr. "RESPOND's Domestic Violence Counselor's depth of knowledge and accessibility to services has proven to be irreplaceable."

RESPOND is proud of the unique services it provides through our partnerships with five local police departments. RESPOND has Domestic Violence Counselors embedded on site in the Malden, Melrose, Wakefield, Woburn, and Reading Police Departments.

"Domestic violence does not discriminate. It happens to people of all genders, identities, abilities, and socio-economic status. Until we accept that domestic violence is a significant public health issue and societal problem that requires the funding and support of life-saving services, victims will continue to be at risk," said RESPOND's Director of Philanthropy & Engagement, Heather Lonks Minty. "Woburn residents should be proud to live in a town that takes domestic violence seriously and is actively working to eliminate the obstacles that prevent victims from finding safety and support."

*Jane Doe, Inc. (Updated September 23, 2019). Domestic Violence Homicides in Massachusetts. Retrieved from https://www.janedoe.org/learn_more/facts_and_stats/dv_hom....