Thanks to very generous donations made to C.A.R.E. of Atchison County this past year, C.A.R.E. was able to have all new windows installed on the back porch of the C.A.R.E. house. (C.A.R.E. photo)

Submitted by Nikki Graves, Victim Advocate

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and this year it looks a little different. With COVID on everyone’s mind, the candlelight vigil has been canceled for this year, but you can find C.A.R.E. of Atchison County’s pinwheel display outside the Tarkio First Baptist Church. Each pinwheel represents a victim of domestic violence that C.A.R.E. worked with in 2019. There are 192 pinwheels. That is 192 people in our community who have been a victim of domestic violence. You never know what battles people are fighting, so be kind!

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence defines domestic violence as the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior. These behaviors are part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. Domestic violence is found in every culture and socioeconomic class and influenced by institutional and societal responses. It can include physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, cyber abuse, financial abuse, threats and emotional and mental abuse. Domestic violence does not discriminate.  It can happen in all types of relationships, whether dating, committed, same-sex or heterosexual relationships. It can happen to teens and elders. Children are also impacted by domestic violence in the home. C.A.R.E. is always here to assist victims of domestic violence so please call the 24-hour hotline at 660-744-7233.

Thanks to the many donations received this past year, including an overwhelmingly appreciated anonymous donation, C.A.R.E. was able to install new windows on the C.A.R.E. House’s back porch. The windows were installed by Danny Cooper and Scott Morehouse.

With the help of the community, C.A.R.E. is spreading awareness for the survivors in our area. It’s important to support domestic violence survivors no matter what their situation, encourage them to talk to people that can offer help and guidance, and help them find a way to safety and peace.