LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced new efforts to educate the public about domestic violence and its effects on victims.
According to an official press release, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services funds 46 domestic violence programs in Michigan through its Division of Crime Victim Services.
These programs provide services such as immediate temporary emergency housing, 24-hour crisis hotlines, advocacy and more. The services are also provided for the dependent children of victims.
“As Michiganders, we all need to understand that domestic violence is unfortunately far too common,” Whitmer said in a press release. “We must do all that we can to prevent domestic violence and offer support to survivors. While public awareness of this societal problem has grown in recent years, there’s still more work to be done.”
The press release notes that in Michigan, an estimated 35,306 adults or adolescents were victims of intimate partner violence crimes in 2018.
Citizens can learn more about direct support services in different areas by visiting the state of Michigan’s domestic violence safety page.
Citizens can also receive help and information relating to domestic violence situations by calling the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit https://www.thehotline.org/. The hotline is available 24/7 with guaranteed confidentiality.
