Domestic Violence On The Rise In Sioux Falls

With one in four women who are victims of domestic violence according to the CDC, it's very likely that you may know someone who's been in an abusive relationship.
    
While those numbers are on the rise, officials at the Children's Inn in Sioux Falls are hoping to prevent more dangerous situations.

It's a situation many hope to never deal with: an abusive relationship. But it's something that is becoming even more prevalent right here in KELOLAND.

"Just in women alone needing our services, we have seen a 10 percent increase over last year," Operations Director with Children’s Inn Amy Carter said.

The best thing anyone in an abusive situation can do is reach out.

"Even just alerting those who are in your life; neighbors, babysitters and your employers.  All of those places so they can help look out for you as well," Carter said.

Carter says the woman whose boyfriend took hostages and killed one woman at Cost Cutters in Sioux Falls last month did all the right things by alerting her co-workers and even getting a protection order. But sometimes these situations are out of our hands. The best thing someone can do is have the courage to get help or call police.

"But again, if you can find the courage to contact police that's going to put that person in jail," Carter said.

If those protection orders are violated or you no longer feel safe that's where places like the Children's Inn in Sioux Falls can offer a helping hand.

"That’s what places like Children's Inn are for; we are very confidential. Yet we can be supportive and provide those resources," Carter said.

The support of friends and family members can also make the process a little easier.

"Letting someone know what is going on so you don't have to feel so alone.  Victims always feel so alone; that no one else would understand what they are going through," Carter said.

Carter says while domestic abuse is on the rise locally, she hopes that it's just because people are more aware and more willing to help.