The implications and effects of domestic violence in our society are broad and severe:

• The health-related costs of rape, physical assault, stalking and homicide by intimate partners exceed five point 8 billion dollars each year (Centers for Disease Control Study, 2000)

• According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, approximately one-third (32%) of all women murdered in 1999 in the U.S. were known to be killed by a current or former intimate partner. 3.6% of male homicide victims were known to be killed by a current or former intimate partner. (Bureau of Justice Statistics, “Homicide Trends in the United States,” 1999)

• Children in homes where domestic violence occurs are physically abused or seriously neglected at a rate 1,500% higher than the national average in the general population (National Woman Abuse Prevention Project, Washington, D.C.)

This year Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention together with The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Tatge/Lasseur Productions, CPTV and The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation are bringing a community sneak preview of “Breaking the Silence: Children’s Stories” to three locations in our area. This is a new powerful PBS documentary that chronicles the impact of domestic violence on children and the recurring failing of family courts across the country to protect them from their abusers. These screenings will take place:

October 13th at Keene State College’s Night Owl Café 4:30-6:30
(Co-sponsored by KSC Sexual Assault/Harassment Education and Prevention Program)
October 18th at Keene Public Library 6:30-8:30
October 20th at Peterborough Town Library 6:30-8:30

Please join us. Admission and refreshments are free.
Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention is also launching a special outreach initiative for our faith community to partner in the observance of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This initiative encourages places of worship to ensure they are safe havens for victims of domestic violence. We hope this initiative will be the seed of enhanced collaboration and support with our community faith organizations, many of whom give us direct aid in money and donations all ready.

In 2005, Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention served 1,186 clients. We serve 44 towns in the Monadnock Region. We are the local domestic and sexual violence crisis center providing information, support, peer counseling, court advocacy, emergency shelter to victims of domestic and sexual violence, 24 hour crisis line, support groups and prevention education services.

Please contact us at:
1-888-511-MCVP (toll free)
603-352-3782 (Keene office)
603-924-3600 (Peterborough office)