Photo by L. ParsonsDarcey McKee (right) presented Alice’s Place in Winslow, the local domestic violence shelter, with a grant for $3.500 from the Winslow Elks Lodge No. 536. Pictured are (left to right) Alice’s Place Victim advocates Analisa Scofield, Sharon Oliva, Eleysia Reyes and Tiffany Brooks, Alice’s Place Director Theresa Warren, board member Dr. Greg Hackler, and at Little Colorado Medical Center Social Services Director Tiffani Hardman.
Photo by L. ParsonsDarcey McKee (right) presented Alice’s Place in Winslow, the local domestic violence shelter, with a grant for $3.500 from the Winslow Elks Lodge No. 536. Pictured are (left to right) Alice’s Place Victim advocates Analisa Scofield, Sharon Oliva, Eleysia Reyes and Tiffany Brooks, Alice’s Place Director Theresa Warren, board member Dr. Greg Hackler, and at Little Colorado Medical Center Social Services Director Tiffani Hardman.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and according to Roxanne Padilla, Navajo County Victim Services Director, the county is one of the most impoverished areas in the nation and that leads to an increase in domestic violence. “With that you have an increase of a lot of different things, alcohol abuse, drug use and violent crimes. Per population density, we do have a high domestic violence rate. There is a correlation between fewer jobs, less education and crime rates.”

Nationwide, one in four women and one in nine men experience domestic violence, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Intimate partner violence accounts for 15 percent of all violent crime.

The Victim Services Department handles cases dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and homicide. Padilla said, “Our domestic violence cases make up about 60 to 70 percent of our case load.”

Awareness is key when it comes to breaking the cycle of abuse, Padilla explained. “We need to make sure that victims know that there is help available and that they can get out of violence or abusive situations. Of course, it has to be on their terms, we can’t force anyone to leave, but we hope that more people do.”

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Family Advocacy Center in Show Low as well as many businesses in Holbrook and Winslow will be replacing their outdoor lights with purple lights, the official color of the movement. Winslow City Manager Steve Pauken said, “Tiffany (Brooks) from Alice’s Place spoke with our Public Works Director, Tim Westover and we are going to get some purple lights around our downtown.”

A candle light vigil, honoring victims of domestic abuse will also be held. The event, hosted by Alice’s Place, will take place at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Oct. 18) at the Standin’ on the Corner Park, located at the corner of Kinsley Avenue and Second Street in Winslow. There will also be a 5K color run on Oct. 20 in Holbrook to help raise awareness. Registration for that event is at www.eventbrite.com. The fee is $20 per registered runner and includes a T-shirt. Both events are open to the public.

For more information on how to get help if you or someone you know is in a violent relationship, contact the Navajo County Victim’s Services Department by calling (928) 524-4026.