We have many epidemics raging in our country today, and the one that typically gets the most notoriety is drugs.

However, one that isn’t talked about nearly enough is domestic violence, and while awareness is raised during the month of October, we must make it a focus all 365 days a year.

Various organizations will host events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month to continue the efforts to shed a light on this extremely serious problem throughout the country.

Domestic violence doesn’t only affect the person being abused, but it also can impact those around them. This is an issue that crosses all gender, race and sexual orientation boundaries.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website, in the United States, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of (some form of) physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. Additionally, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

In one day in 2014 in Ohio, 896 adults and children received non-residential assistance and services, including counseling, legal advocacy and children’s support groups for domestic violence.

Locally, the Lawrence County Domestic Violence Task Force operates the local domestic violence program.

If raising awareness of domestic violence helps one person have the courage to stand up to their abuser, then the time and energy spent will be well worth it, because no one should ever live in fear for their safety.