Domestic violence awareness month marked in Fall River

Domestic violence was brought out of hiding Wednesday with the raising of the Fall River Domestic Violence Coalition flag to bring awareness to the issue.

FALL RIVER — Domestic violence was brought out of hiding Wednesday with the raising of the Fall River Domestic Violence Coalition flag to bring awareness to the issue.

Mayor Jasiel Correia II proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the city of Fall River.

“It’s overwhelming and a wonderful thing to have the support,” said Deanne Gomes, coalition vice president and domestic violence specialist at Stanley Street Treatment and Resources. “We wouldn’t be able to do our jobs without their support.”

The support of the city, local police, and the District Attorney’s office is what it takes to combat domestic violence, along with the collaboration of roughly a dozen agencies that make up the coalition.

Correia said domestic violence crosses all economic and social barriers, and costs billions of dollars in medical care, police and court costs, and loss of work.

“All of you deserve to live in a city free of domestic violence,” Correia said.

In Massachusetts, one in three women has been the victim of rape, physical violence, or been stalked, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Nearly half of all women, and a quarter of all men, in Massachusetts have been the subject of non-rape sexual assault.

Gomes said the coalition helps families affected by domestic violence, offers fundraisers and events, and awards scholarships for children to attend Camp Welch.

“The issue of domestic violence is so, so important,” Correia said.

Correia thanked law enforcement for their major role in protecting the victims of domestic violence. He said domestic violence was “something everyone can relate to in some way.”

“We are here to help you end the crime of domestic violence,” Correia said.

Fall River Domestic Violence Coalition President-elect Lori Rivers said the proclamation was important to the group and honors the members’ work.

Rivers, an advocate to victims in the court system, said she sees many cases of domestic violence in her role.

“I help as many people as I can,” Rivers said. “This is what we do.”

Email Deborah Allard at dallard@heraldnews.com