Domestic Violence Task Force, including Adelante, commences awareness campaign

La Prensa Staff

The Lucas County Domestic Violence Task Force kicks off a campaign this week to heighten awareness in the community about the issue of domestic violence and to inform victims of how they can seek assistance.

“It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that the health and well-being of a community requires a solid foundation of healthy relationships,” said Anna Allen of the Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center last week at a news conference to announce the initiative. Allen is coordinator of the Lucas County DELTA (Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership through Alliances) Project.

One phase of the campaign consists of inserts that will be placed into Lucas County residents’ water bills that warn of the dangers of domestic violence and provide a referral telephone number and web site. The inserts contain information in both English and Spanish.

In Lucas County, Allen said, a 911 call is received for domestic violence or domestic arguments once every 28 minutes. “Realize that a great number of victims never call the police,” she added.

“One time is too many,” said Toledo City Councilwoman Wilma Brown. “When it happens one time, you should leave and seek shelter.”

“This is not just a woman’s issue, it’s everyone’s issue,” said Toledo City Councilwoman said Toledo city Councilwoman Ellen Grachek.

“Domestic violence has no boundaries, it’s a city issue, it’s a county issue, it’s a real issue,” added Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak. That sentiment was echoed by Toledo City Councilwoman Lourdes Santiago who translated the insert into Spanish. “This effort needs to extend throughout the community crossing race, ethnic and social status lines. Victims should know that policy makers are paying attention and that we are together in addressing this situation,” said Santiago.

City Councilmen Rob Ludeman and George Sarantou also were present at the news conference to lend their support to the Task Force’s initiatives.

The Lucas County Domestic Violence Task Force is a collaborative effort “to cooperatively address issues of domestic violence within our community” reads the literature of the task force. The mission of the task force is “to end domestic violence” through a collaboration of individuals and organizations.

Some of the participating groups in the collaborative are the YWCA, Adelante, Inc. and the Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center, along with the city and county governments.

In the photograph, Claudia Annoni of Adelante, Inc. is addressing the audience in Toledo City Council chambers. For more information on how to obtain help – free and confidential – call 1-888-341-7386 or log on to www.fcapc.org. The DELTA Project is located at One Stranahan Square and can be reached by calling 419-244-3053.