October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Carbon County.

During the county commissioners' meeting on Thursday, the board adopted a proclamation in honor of raising awareness about domestic violence. Domestic violence is a serious problem all over the world and the Domestic Violence Service Center has worked diligently to offer support and help to women who have been victims of abuse.The proclamation recognizes the Domestic Violence Service Center, which began as the Women Center task force in 1977.In June 1978, the task force was incorporated as the Domestic Violence Service Center, which serves Carbon County today. Since then, the purpose of the Domestic Violence Service Center has been to work toward the elimination of domestic violence.Ester Medina, Carbon County court advocate of the Domestic Violence Service Center, thanked the commissioners for their continued support of the agency.She explained that the center's services include providing legal advocacy to victims of domestic violence, including court accompaniment to PFA hearings, community support groups, one-on-one counseling and more. All services are free and confidential."We want to let people know that there is help out there and that they are not alone," she said, noting that there will be informational tables set up at the Department of Public Welfare on Monday and at the Palmerton Library on Wednesday.Anyone who is a victim of domestic violence and physical, mental and emotional abuse can call the center's 24-hour hot line at 1-800-424-5600.