Stamford Advocate (Sunday)

Domestic violence does not discrimina­te

- Kevin Shippy is executive director of the Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC), which serves Stamford, Norwalk, Westport, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton and Weston.

The heartbreak­ing disappeara­nce of New Canaan mother of five Jennifer Dulos is yet another reminder domestic violence represents the most frequent calls to our local law enforcemen­t department­s. Domestic violence doesn’t discrimina­te by financial privilege nor level of education, and is far more complex than to be simplified as a gender-specific phenomenon.

Domestic disturbanc­es are a community failure within our households, as well as those of extended families, neighbors, classmates, work colleagues and fellow citizens. The greatest tool we have in combatting this crisis is investing in preventive education extending beyond school classrooms, and reinforced in workplaces, faith-based venues, social organizati­ons and municipal causal gatherings.

The Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) is committed to sharing its trained expertise inculcatin­g how we can break the cycle of physical violence, verbal and emotional abuse, economic deprivatio­n and the control of technologi­cal advances in monitoring intimate partner relations. Statistica­lly, one in four women and one in seven men experience domestic violence in the United States.

Domestic violence is the No. 1 cause of visits to hospital emergency rooms for women between the ages of 18-44; and one in seven children raised in violent households will become a victim or perpetrato­r later in life.

DVCC’s mission is providing effective services, support and education for the prevention and eliminatio­n of domestic violence in Connecticu­t and beyond. Our service footprint of seven communitie­s in lower Fairfield County provides victim advocacy for more than 330,000 residents. All services are confidenti­al and at no cost.

For more informatio­n, please visit www.dvccct.org or call the bilingual helpline, 203-588-9096.

Thank you for helping break the cycle of domestic violence — lives depend on us!

Domestic violence is the No. 1 cause of visits to hospital emergency rooms for women between the ages of 18-44; and one in seven children raised in violent households will become a victim or perpetrato­r later in life.

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