Reports of domestic violence in Monroe County are down for the sixth year in a row, but the rates are still higher than the state average. While there’s value in studying statistics when it comes to this issue, each report of intimate partner violence reflects how the life of someone in our community has been impacted by trauma. Victims of domestic violence suffer from visible and hidden burdens, and often find it challenging to seek help.
A new organization hopes to change that. We discuss how the HEAL Collaborative brings together social services and legal entities in our area to assist victims and their families. We also hear from survivors of domestic violence, who share their stories and discuss their road to recovery. In studio:
- Jaime Saunders, president and CEO of Willow Domestic Violence Center
- Ellen Poleshuck, director of the HEAL Collaborative at the University of Rochester Medical Center
- Elaine Bell, intimate partner violence survivor and advocate
- Michelle ReQua, intimate partner violence survivor and advocate
