We at the Centre County Women’s Resource Center (CCWRC) are saddened by recent events that led to the death of a valued community member. We are saddened but, unfortunately, not surprised.

One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence at some point in her lifetime, and, on average, three women are killed every day at the hands of a current or former intimate partner. A woman is far more likely to be killed by her spouse, an intimate acquaintance, or a family member than by a stranger.

Data on intimate partner homicide provides a glaring picture of the magnitude and devastating toll that intimate partner violence can take. Sadly, in this past year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania experienced 141 domestic violence related homicides. The youngest victim was 20 days old, the oldest victim was 92.

Domestic violence is not about love and it is not a “crime of passion.” Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. The abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, isolate or wound someone.

Providing immediate, safety enhancing services such as shelter, safety planning, and emergency protection from abuse orders are ways that CCWRC works to prevent domestic violence homicides. We strongly encourage anyone that feels their life is being threatened by a partner or loved one to call 911 and our 24-hour crisis hotline.

If you or someone you know is frightened about something in a relationship, please call the Women’s Resource Center hotline, toll-free, at 1-877-234-5050. The services provided by the CCWRC are for women, men, and children. Services are free, confidential, and professional and inclusive of all gender identities and sexual orientations. www.ccwrc.org

written by Jody K. Althouse, Director of Outreach & Education