Silent Witness Display in Downtown Fort Wayne raises awareness for Domestic Violence

The Mayor's Commission on domestic violence, sexual harassment and rape kicked off national domestic violence month in a major way on Thursday.

One in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence..and millions of children witness their parents being abused every year.

Fox 55's brianna dahlquist spoke with local organizations at the silent witness display about what we ?all?

Can do to raise awareness for this cause.

Each one of these cutouts represents a chilling statistic on domestic violence.

The silent witness display on the courthouse green kicks off national domestic violence month.

Jennifer rohlf of ywca says these events are necessaryjr: "every single year when we do these initiatives, we see our calls go up, we see more people come to us for help with navigating those situations."

Jessica crozier is the director of victim assistance at city of fort wayne.

She says domestic violence isn't just a personal problem.

"i think oftentimes we think it's a private matter and we don't realize how it transpires into the community and how often it really happens."

Crozier says domestic violence can happen to anyone.

"it doesn't discriminate.

It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from.

It is real and it is high.

We need to end it to make sure it's not happening in our homes and having our children witness it.

Crozier says we have to break the cycle.

"children who witness it will either take the role of the victim or the role of the abuser.

It's very rare that they take neither.

As parents, we're modeling what a healthy relationship is so if there is domestic violence going on in the home then the children are going to think that's normal and ok.

Rohlf says it's so important to leave an abusive relationship but that it's only one of many steps"the reality of domestic violence is just because you leave doesn't mean that the situation is over.

Often, the danger goes up after they leave an abusive partner.

That's why resources is so important!"

To heal from trauma and other mental health issues, rohlf says survivors have to give themselves grace.

"it's quite a journey.

Going from being a victim of domestic or sexual assult, it's a journey to get there."

Rohlf sends this message to those who suspect their loved ones are in an abusive situation:"the best thing that a friend or family member can do is talk to that person about what's going on and how it's concerning to them and how you're seeing some red flags and encourage them to get help."in fort wayne, i'm brianna dahlquist, fox 55 news if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or sexual assault, log on to wfft dot com for information on