Domestic violence can happen to anyone.

It can be the soccer mom who wears long-sleeve shirts even when it’s 80 degrees outside, or the man who keeps saying he can’t go when his friends ask to hang out.

It could be a loved one or a neighbor.

Last year, over 200 Carbon people were served by the Domestic Violence Service Center after they made the call for help.

Tammy Rodgers, volunteer education coordinator at the Domestic Violence Service Center, which serves Carbon and Luzerne counties, thanked the county commissioners for recognizing the problem by declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“As you know, domestic violence is still one of the least reported crimes in the United States, and we’re still out there working to provide those services and provide safety to all the victims of domestic violence and their children,” Rodgers said. “So thank you.”

Commissioner Rocky Ahner said that to see what people go through is a terrible thing and thanked Rodgers and her staff for all they do.

The Domestic Violence Service Center provides services including legal advocacy to victims of domestic violence, court accompaniment to PFA hearings, community support groups, one-on-one counseling and more. All services are free and confidential.

Anyone who is a victim of domestic violence and physical, mental and emotional abuse can call the center’s 24-hour hotline at 800-424-5600.

For more information on the Domestic Violence Service Center, visit www.domesticviolenceservice.org.