October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month - #JusticeForKellyVucelich
Hard to believe it's October 1st - and the first day of Domestic Violence Awareness month.
Domestic Violence doesn't stop from making the headlines - as the recent news of Gabby Petito has gripped the nation and the hunt for her boyfriend/fiance who is their "person of interest" continues from Florida to the Appalachian Trail. We can only imagine what her family is going through right now, as we've all been experiencing our own DV loss and send our condolences for their loss of their beautiful daughter.
It's been a long 9+ months since Kelly's murder and we are no closer to having a resolution than we were back when we started our mission for seeking justice for our loved friend who was also a sister, a niece, and a daughter, which as you can imagine is BEYOND FRUSTRATING. Kelly's family continues to heal from this huge loss they've endured and also continues to await any news from the DA about this case or getting any kind of court date assigned. We've heard nothing! And we know her accused murderer, Jason Hall, continues to be allowed to be out on bond, despite our pleas to be heard that he is a dangerous man who does not deserve any freedom while awaiting his court date.
Here are some facts about DV from NATIONAL COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
• The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%. Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crimes.
• 1 in 2 female murder victims and 1 in 13 male murder victims are killed by intimate partners.
• A study of intimate partner homicides found 20% of victims were family members or friends of the abused partner, neighbors, persons who intervened, law enforcement responders, or bystanders.
• 65% of all murder-suicides are perpetrated by intimate partners.
• 96% of murder-suicide victims are female.
• Most intimate partner homicides are committed with firearms.
• Abusers’ access to firearms increases the risk of intimate partner femicide at least five-fold. When firearms have been used in the most severe abuse incident, the risk increases 41-fold.
• While the overall rate of intimate partner has decreased, intimate partner femicide has increased in recent years, driven by an increase in intimate partner femicide committed with a firearm.
If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, the time to SPEAK UP or GET OUT is NOW.
Phone: Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233). Free. Confidential. 24/7.
And continue sharing this petition. #JusticeForKellyVucelich
Thank you for your support. We will update you with more news as we know it.