One of the most underreported crimes in America is domestic violence.

To help those who find themselves in this situation, the Lawrence County Domestic Violence Task Force is collaborating with Ohio University Southern for its ninth annual Domestic Violence Awareness Program at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 17.

It will be held in the Bowman Auditorium. Elaine Payne, the director of the Lawrence County Domestic Violence Shelter, said that while many people focus on October being breast cancer awareness month, it is also domestic violence awareness month. The Task Force tries to not only educate about domestic violence and reach out to those who need help, but to honor those who are lost to domestic violence.

“We encourage those who are in domestic violence relationships to try to get out of them, to educate them,” she said. “There are people in our community who are suffering under domestic violence.”

Payne said that last year; about 64 people attended the event.

This year’s event will feature a short video, Ironton Mayor Katrina Keith as the guest speaker and music from Rick Payne.

“We usually have someone to sing a song of encouragement,” Payne said, adding it is provided by her son, Rick, who is active in the Paramount Arts Center. “He always comes up with something to introduce the speaker. He is going to sing ‘Over the Rainbow, because Katrina will speak about be able to step up to the plate and get out a violent situation and that your dreams can come true, like becoming a mayor.”

This year, they will do a balloon release to close out the event instead of at the start of the event.

“This year, we found we could have balloons that light up,” Payne said.

The Lawrence County Domestic Violence Task Force will get proclamations from the City of Ironton and the Lawrence County Commissioners. There will also be a presentation of the donations to the domestic violence shelter from the Child Welfare Club and other organizations.

The shelter provides space for Lawrence County residents and from the surrounding communities like Portsmouth and Kentucky.

“If someone is an area where they think the perpetrator might be able to find them, they will transfer them to us. And we will do the same thing, like send someone to Portsmouth,” Payne said. “We work all work together.”

The shelter has a hotline that is available every day of the year, 740-532-7111.

“There is somebody on call 24 hours, weekday, weekends and holidays,” Payne said. “We are here to help.”