Letter: YWCA works hard to prevent domestic abuse

To the Editor:

The YWCA of the Sauk Valley wants readers to know that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Domestic violence can happen to people of all ages, races, religions, genders, and financial status. Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person.

The YWCA works hard to prevent this abuse by helping victims obtain orders of protection, providing shelter, assisting with employment and housing, and offering domestic violence education to anyone who identifies as someone that has suffered from abuse so they can recognize signs of potential dangers.

This month we also recognize the survivors who lived to tell their story, as well as, the victims who have had their lives taken senselessly by people who, in some instances, claimed they loved them.

Our mission has always been to promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all, and one way to do that is to be kind to each other.

Monica Allen, Sterling