DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

For survivors of domestic violence, getting out of an abusive relationship is just the start.

When you think of domestic violence, you might picture the victim as a woman and the abuser as a man. That’s what one Roanoke man thought until it happened to him.

For survivors of domestic abuse like Erika Ramirez, the journey to freedom wasn’t an easy one.

Moraza said the Hispanic community doesn’t always recognize domestic violence for what is and may even accept it as normal.

What starts in one household could create a cycle of abuse that can last for generations.

It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month in America, and local organizations are struggling to help survivors due to a lack of resources.

“I’m learning the difference between a victim and a survivor. And it feels good to know that I’ve survived,” said Ramirez.

October marks National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Experts say domestic violence is an epidemic nationwide and in Southwest Virginia.

Total Action for Progress says they've experienced double the amount of calls on their hotline.

It is ladies’ night at Domino’s in Christiansburg. The store, located at 1655 Roanoke St., is celebrating International Women’s Day by donating 100% of its sales to two local nonprofits: Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley and Lishy’s Gift in Roanoke. The store will also be 100% staffed by female team members on March 8.

The Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General and Associate Attorney General were joined by leadership of the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). At the outset of the meeting, Attorney General Garland reaffirmed that combatting gender-based violence has long been and remains today a priority for the Justice Department. The Attorney General discussed the department’s FY 2022 Budget request, which includes an historic investment of $1 billion to support the work of the OVW. He noted that he was serving as Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General in 1995 when the Justice Department first established a dedicated office to address domestic violence and sexual assault. Among the Deputy Attorney General’s responsibilities was gathering personal stories from individual survivors to illustrate the dire need for stronger legal protections.

Anyone in violation of the proposed law could face a class one misdemeanor charge. A new bill passed by the Virginia General Assembly would take away gun rights for those convicted of certain domestic violence crimes. “While I would have preferred it to include intimate partners, this is an important step for this bill which we have work on together for so many years,” said Murphy. The bill passed in both the House and the Senate and will now head to Gov. Anyone in violation of the proposed law could face a class one misdemeanor charge.

ROANOKE, Va. – While domestic violence is a sensitive topic often left unspoken, it is likely affecting more people than you’d think. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 10 News spoke to Jamie Starkey with Family Service of Roanoke Valley. Family Service of Roanoke Valley serves as an advocate and helping hand, if you will, for families and individuals dealing with traumas like domestic violence. For more information, click here.