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Letter to the editor

Vigil a light in darkness of domestic violence

By JONAHAN ABEL, Times Staff Writer
Published January 30, 2008

The Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force held a vigil in Largo Central Park over the weekend to remember victims killed by spouses or partners. Although the full scope of the domestic violence problem in Pinellas can't be expressed in numbers, the figures are startling:

By the numbers

20,000+ Calls in 2007 to Pinellas' two domestic violence hotlines.

6,090 Cases received by the State Attorney's Office in 2007 related to domestic violence.

1 in 4 Women who are subjected to violence at the hands of a partner in at least one relationship.

11 Deaths in Pinellas County last year related to domestic violence.

1 in 12 Men who experience domestic violence at some point in their lives.

1 in 5 Homicides in Pinellas over the past decade that are related to domestic violence.

40People who attended Sunday night's vigil.

Source: Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force.

How to help

- Call the North Pinellas domestic violence hotline for the Haven of Religious Community Services at 727 442-4128.

- Call the South Pinellas hotline for Community Action Stops Abuse at (727) 895-4912.

- To volunteer with the task force, call (727) 824-6979, or e-mail Wendy_Loomas@doh.state.fl.us or visit www.dvtf.org.

[Last modified January 30, 2008, 00:50:30]