Victims and survivors of Domestic violence can now turn to one another, thanks to the Lawrence County Domestic Violence Task Force.

Tuesday, December 05, 2000

Victims and survivors of Domestic violence can now turn to one another, thanks to the Lawrence County Domestic Violence Task Force.

Beginning Dec. 11, the task force is sponsoring a domestic violence support group.

"We want to bring together victims of domestic violence so that they will see that they aren’t the only ones who have been in this situation," said Ruthanne Delong, task force director. "Depending on what stage of healing you are in, you can offer support and suggestions to someone who is going through what you’ve been through."

Mrs. Delong said that the support group will offer information on domestic violence, the judicial system and how it deals with domestic violence, and the healing process.

"For our first meeting, we have a video," she said. "It deals with children and the effects of domestic violence on them."

Mrs. Delong hopes to have law enforcement speakers at future meetings to help victims understand the judicial system.

"It’s hard to understand when you’re a victim and you want something to happen right away that there is a due process system."

The task force will conduct the meetings with strict confidentiality. At the moment, the meetings are only once a month. If the demand is there, the task force may hold them more often.

"We have to take baby steps," Delong said. "If a person can’t make it to the group, then we’re here for them 24 hours a day. "

The support group will meet Dec. 11 at the Lawrence County 911 Conference Room, at 515 Park Ave., Ironton. For more information, call the task force at 1-740-532-7284, or e-mail lcdv@cloh.net.