By the Niagara County Sheriffs Office and Sheriff James Voutour
Once again in October we commemorate National Domestic Violence Awareness Month [NDVAM], a time for law enforcement agencies, victim assistance organizations and community leaders to work jointly in generating greater public awareness about domestic violence, prevention strategies and effective responses for victims. It serves as a reminder that communities must speak out in a unified voice to combat domestic violence and to challenge all people in America to support programs that can end this nationwide epidemic.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 1.3 million women and men have been victims of domestic violence in the past year. Eliminating domestic violence requires collaborative prevention and response efforts from criminal justice professionals, victim service providers, prosecutors, health care providers, educators and elected officials, among others.
In addition to assistance provided by our court and legal systems and victim service programs, domestic violence victims in Niagara County have access to potentially life-saving information through the website
Sheriffs-Assist.org.
Sheriffs Assist allows crime victims and other concerned citizens to track the custody status of their offenders and register to be notified by phone or email in the event of a release to the community or a transfer to a New York state correctional facility or county jail. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through the toll-free number 1-888-VINE-4-NY or online at
www.vinelink.com.Victims of domestic violence often need the kind of timely information that the website Sheriffs Assist provides. By giving custody information in real time, registered crime victims receive critical information when they need it the most. This access empowers domestic violence victims to gain a greater degree of control in their lives and to make informed decisions about their safety."
Domestic Violence Awareness Month was created in 1987 to promote increased rights and services for domestic violence victims; to educate the public about the crisis of domestic violence and the prevalence of this epidemic in all of our lives; and to encourage involvement and support for domestic violence victims and those who serve them.
Here in Niagara County, special events to be held during October in recognition of the need for support for these victims are:
- Tuesday, Oct. 2, 4:30 p.m. - The fifth annual Domestic Violence Ribbon Walk and Art Exhibit, Main and Third streets in Niagara Falls.
- Thursday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to noon - The "In Her Shoes" DV simulation, Family and Children Services, 1522 Main St., Niagara Falls.
- Tuesday, Oct. 16, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - "Safe at Home: Seeking Solutions for Adults and Children Experiencing Family Violence," Niagara Falls Conference Center.
- Wear Purple Day! Thursday, Oct. 18, 2-4 p.m. - "In Her Shoes" DV simulation at the Niagara County Public Safety Training Facility, 5574 Niagara St. Ext., Lockport.
- Sunday, Oct. 21, 8:30 a.m. - The Niagara County Sheriff's Office PBA 5K to benefit the NCSO victim assistance unit, to be held at Widewaters Marina in Lockport.
- Tuesday, Oct. 23, 5-8 p.m. - "Surviving ... Thriving: A Journey of Healing Through Art" at the Castellani Art Museum, Niagara University. This will also include a display titled "The Silent Witness Project" from the Niagara County Sheriff's Office Domestic Violence and Victim's Assistance Office.
