October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and it is important victims know they are not alone; there are those ready and willing to help.

While many may think otherwise, domestic violence is not strictly physical violence alone. Domestic violence is any behavior used to gain power and control over a spouse, partner, girl/boyfriend or intimate family member. And it isn’t only women who are the victims of domestic violence. According to the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, one in four men have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.

In North Carolina alone, 42 people have die in 2018 so far as a result of domestic violence. If you suffer from domestic violence, please speak up and reach out for help.

One of your options to turn to is to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224. The hotline is open 24/7/365 with trained advocates available to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.

On the local level, victims can turn to Ruth’s House and its helpline, 252-940-0007. So far this year, from January to September, Ruth’s House has aided 100 new clients in Beaufort County. Of those, the nonprofit organization has provided emergency shelter for 31 individuals, 17 of which are children. Along with fielding 151 hotline calls, Ruth’s House assisted with filing 11 domestic violence protection orders and has attended court 12 times to advocate on behalf of their clients.

Please, if you are a victim of domestic violence or think your relationship borders on domestic violence, don’t sit in silence. Reach out for help because there are options and plenty of people there to help.