One in 10 Kansas women will report being a victim of domestic violence, but that only begins to tell the story, according to Family Crisis Center Executive Director Laura Patzner.
It is in recognition of the gap that statistic represents that October needs to be recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
This week the Barton County Commission approved designating October as that, and Patzner explained that the incidence of reporting on domestic violence continues to be much smaller than the estimate number of actual cases.
It is one of the more widely un-reported crimes, she stressed.
What is known, according to national information, is that assault continues to be the leading cause of non-fatal injury for women in the United States.
According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, 35 adults and 14 children lost their lives as a result of domestic violence in this state in 2009 and the statistics for 2010 are no better.
The Family Crisis Center serves in 10 counties across this region of the state and Patzner told the commissioners that her staff continued to work with survivors.
During this month, she added, programs are planned and Kansas residents are encouraged to join in speaking up for those who continue to survive.