Plattsburgh, N.Y. (WCAX) – Behavioral Health Services North Stop Domestic Violence Service held a vigil remembering domestic violence victims.
Staff with the service read the names of North Country residents who lost their lives due to domestic violence in the past year. Stop domestic violence say they’ve helped over 800 people this year. Program director Tiana Barten says that number is alarming.
“I think that it’s just important to remind the community that we need everybody to be advocates and to remember that what we say and what we do matters,” Barten said. “So every time we make a joke about violence, or every time we make a joke and minimize things, it might be putting somebody’s life at risk.”
October is domestic violence awareness month. Organizers say establishing help in rural areas is a real challenge, the program says it hopes to establish satellite offices to help provide care.