The Monroe County commissioners proclaimed October 2024 to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the county.

Commissioner Sharon Laverdure presented the proclamation to Lauren Peterson, the executive director of Safe Monroe, during the commissioners’ meeting on Wednesday.

“Raising awareness about domestic violence is critical in promoting prevention, supporting survivors, and holding abusers accountable, as well as working collaboratively to create safer communities and provide accessible resources for survivors,” Laverdure said.

The mission of Safe Monroe, which was formerly known as the Women’s Resources of Monroe County, is “to provide a safe and caring environment, is healing and empowerment for anyone whose life has been impacted by domestic violence,” Laverdure said. Domestic violence is “a pervasive issue that affects individuals across all demographics regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or social economic status,” she continued. It “undermines the safety, dignity, and well-being of individuals, casting lasting physical, emotional, and psychological scars.”

Laverdure said that between July 2023 and June 2024, the Safe Monroe provided 2,754 hours of counseling and 245 hours of legal advocacy services to 348 people affected by domestic abuse. The agency helped 86 adults and children by providing them with safety from domestic violence through 7,481 nights of shelter, and answered more than 1,360 hotline calls through its 24-hour crisis hotline.

Peterson said Safe Monroe provided free and confidential services to 900 people in Monroe County last year who were impacted by domestic and sexual abuse.

Safe Monroe also has the only operating domestic violence crisis hotline that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Peterson said. The hotline is the first line of defense for people looking for help.

She went on to say that the organization’s domestic violence shelter is the only one in Monroe County, and is one of two shelters in the northeastern region of Pennsylvania.

“We have been at capacity, if not over capacity in our shelter, for probably as long as I can remember,” Peterson said.

In an effort to spread awareness about domestic violence, Safe Monroe is holding a Candlelight Vigil from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 at Courthouse Square. It is also partnering with a few, local breweries to do a Hops for Hope campaign to raise funds to support its programs and services. The event is still in the planning stages. Peterson also said they are always looking for volunteers.