News  October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Probation’s Victim Services Unit assists victims and survivors of crime

The VSU—which includes nine Victim Service Coordinators across the state--works with those impacted by intimate partner violence, according to Corinn Crowninshield, Statewide Manager of the VSU. Approximately 25 percent of the victims the VSU serves have experienced domestic violence, according to Ms. Crowninshield. In Fiscal Year 2023, the VSU served over three thousand victims and survivors, she said.

"We work with victims who have been impacted by a wide range of crimes. However, roughly 25 percent of the victims VSU serves have experienced domestic violence. Domestic violence comes in many forms – emotional, physical, psychological, financial and sexual abuse. We help them in all those realms through safety planning, referrals, court accompaniment, explaining victim rights and more," said Ms. Crowninshield.

This Domestic Violence Month observance evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in October 1981 and was conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The Day of Unity expanded to a week-long event and in October 1987, the first National Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. In 1989, Congress officially designated October National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.