Domestic violence advocacy groups report rising service needs

As October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, advocacy organizations are reporting significant service demands. In Southeast Missouri, the Safe House reported serving over 700 victims last year, representing a 25% increase from the previous year. The organization provides a 24-hour hotline, safety planning, and text-based communication options to assist survivors.

In the Newport and Bristol county regions, the Women’s Resource Center served more than 1,100 survivors last year. The center managed 1,211 hotline calls and provided 1,729 nights of emergency shelter. Their services include pet-friendly emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, and legal advocacy. Both organizations emphasize that domestic violence encompasses not only physical harm but also emotional, financial, and coercive control.