HOULTON, Maine — Violence is never OK. But sometimes rural isolation, family moves, no available housing, no transportation and a lack of information keeps people trapped in often dangerous domestic abuse situations and breaking free seems next to impossible, experts say.
“Sometimes they don’t even know they are experiencing domestic abuse,” said Krissy Beaton, Aroostook Coordinator for the Hope & Justice Project. “We are trying to end domestic violence in the world, [and we focus on] prevention through education and community awareness.”
But there is so much to be done. So many — one-in-three women and one-in-four men — who experience domestic violence at some point in their life, Beaton said, adding that as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, the Hope & Justice Project is reaching out to the community for assistance.
While this year’s domestic violence numbers are not yet available for Maine, last year’s were grim, according to the 2021 Attorney General’s report on the state of domestic violence in Maine. Nearly half of the state’s homicides are the result of domestic violence and in 2021 there were nine fatalities.
The Hope & Justice Project helped more than 1,000 people in Aroostook County and if there were additional resources, they could have helped many more, Beaton said.
“We can’t do this work by ourselves, it’s bigger than us,” she said, listing several ways individuals might help, like adopting a shelter family for the holidays, volunteering to work at the shelter, or in the office, donating fresh produce, donating extra bedding, towels. “The families are so appreciative of the help they get.”
Oct. 2 marks the Annual Lights on for Domestic Violence Awareness.
And as part of the October community outreach and educational efforts, a Family Fun day for central Aroostook will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at Riverside Park in Presque Isle.
For southern Aroostook, Family Fun Day is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, in Monument Park.
Both gatherings are open to the public, and will feature a variety of events for children and adults plus an awareness walk.
“We are trying to have something for everyone,” Beaton said. “There will be a cake walk, a photo booth and games.”
The domestic violence hotline, staffed by trained volunteers, can be a lifeline for those experiencing violence and abuse. And the next volunteer hotline training with the Hope & Justice Project begins on Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to Noon via Zoom and continues Mondays and Thursdays until Nov. 20.
Those interested in volunteering for the hotline can call the Hope & Justice Project, Houlton office, 207-532-4004.
Hotline volunteers generally are on call once a week for 24 hours, Beaton said. The way it works, if someone is experiencing or knows someone experiencing domestic abuse, they call the hotline answering service and the call is then patched into the volunteer on call or the volunteer calls back.
Editor’s Note: For free and confidential 24-hour support call, 1-800-439-2323. Hotline volunteers or staff offer information and can help people experiencing domestic violence explore options.
