The Scioto County Domestic Violence Shelter will have its 19th Annual candlelight vigil in the Scioto County Courthouse on Oct. 15 in memory of those local victims who have lost their lives to domestic violence. The vigil begins at 7 p.m. with Portsmouth City Solicitor Michael Jones speaking, and Rev. Gary Heimbach from the Cedar Street Church in New Boston singing.

During the vigil, individuals will be invited to share their stories of how domestic violence has touched their lives, draped by the Scioto County Domestic Violence Quilt hanging behind them with the names of local victims — men, women and children — who have lost their lives. The latest name that could be added to the quilt is that of a Wheelersburg woman who died from domestic violence this year. The agency still needs her family’s approval before they add her name to the quilt. Lou Ann Hoffer, of the Scioto County Domestic Violence Shelter, expressed sadness that the current quilt is full and said the agency would start a new quilt in the near future.

“We like to encourage — especially people who have family members whose names are on the quilt; we specifically would like for them to come,” Hoffer said.

The quilt will be hanging in the courthouse during the entire month of October in honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, along with the shelter’s “empty place at the table” display.

Teresa Carver, of the Scioto County Domestic Violence Shelter, said the failing economy has led to a local increase in substance abuse, which then leads to an increase in domestic violence also. She said drug and alcohol abuse touches about 95 percent of local victims.

For those who are victims of domestic violence, there are many resources available to get you help and victims should not be afraid or embarrassed to come forward. Hoffer stresses that it’s not the victim’s fault and there should be no shame in coming forward.

“If you are being abused right now, the immediate thing is to call 911 to get the authorities involved. The authorities will most likely refer them to us and then we can help them in several ways,” Hoffer said, noting that victims can also call the shelter directly on their 24-hour hotline: (740) 456-8217.

“If they’re not ready to leave the situation yet, we can at least advise them what their rights are and what their options are, and what might be out there to stop them. If they are ready to leave, but are afraid they can’t get away from the abuse, we can help get them a protection order,” she said.

The agency also can protect women by keeping them in their safe house.

“If we can get ahold of this victim and speak with her about what her options are and what her cares are, and try to mean each one of them to make the road a little easier for her to make the decision to get out of that bad situation, then it will work its way out. It’s not always possible, but we’re here and we do try,” Yvonne Lyon, of the Scioto County Domestic Violence Shelter, said.

Too many times, domestic violence comes also with sexual assault. Patti Pettigrew, of the Scioto County Agency on Sexual Assault, works closely with the domestic violence shelter to help victims of sexual assault.

“In the 20 years I’ve been with the shelter, things are getting better,” Lyon said. “At one time, the alleged victim went back seven-to-11 times before they could get enough strength to get out of that situation. I see it now as three-to-five, which is a much better percentage. Hopefully with all the work we can all do ... we can make the percentages even better.”

Anyone who would like to participate in the free candlelight vigil should be at the Scioto County Courthouse at 7 p.m. Oct. 15. Lyon especially invites those who have been helped by the agency, and asks that they turn out to support them now.

Above all, perhaps, is the urgent request for victims of domestic violence to seek help by local authorities, or by calling the Scioto County Domestic Violence 24-hour Hotline at (740) 456-8217. Callers can choose to remain anonymous, and all calls remain confidential.

RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 235, or e-mail pdtwriter@

ryanscottottney.com.