Governor Declares October Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is domestic violence awareness month in the state of Tennessee…governor Bill Lee making that proclaimation on Tuesday. Recent figures show there were more than 69,000 domestic violence incidents reported in Tennessee in 2020. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Domestic Violence Report for 2020 also shows that domestic violence accounted for 90 murders in the state. According to Jennifer Brinkman of the Office Of Criminal Justice Programs…Communities across Tennessee have worked to help victims of domestic violence by opening full-service Family Justice Centers at 13 locations in the state. Those centers help victims plan for their safety, meet with police or prosecutors, get medical care, find shelter, get help with transportation or childcare, all in one place to make it easier for people to safely plan or leave dangerous situations. Three of those centers are in east Tennessee, in Knox, Washington & Sullivan counties.

If you are a victim of domestic violence or you know someone who is, help is available 24/7/365 at 800-356-6767.