Muncie agencies banding together to help domestic violence victims
MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) – Agencies in Delaware County are trying to help domestic violence victims escape the cycle that cause many to live in fear every day.
Kimberly Reddick is a mother of two girls and works a full time job. She and her daughters are also living temporarily at the Better Way Home in Muncie. When she talks about fighting back, it was against her abuser.
“There were times where he had to choke me out and I fought for myself and I did, I fought,” said Reddick. “He thought I wasn’t going to fight back but I did and I saw my life flashing before my eyes.”
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence says on average nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by a partner.
1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of some kind of violence by a partner. There’s a city wide effort in Muncie to stop domestic violence and it involves multiple agencies.
Teresa Clemons says the Better Way is one of those options.
“As a community, individual sector has worked hard to improve on their own but we also have a team and I really think it’s because the people at the top of these organizations see the importance of it and the impact it has on the other aspects of society,” said Clemons.
Ron Locke is the dayside officer and first responder to any calls of domestic violence in the city. His unit was put together four years ago by the Delaware County prosecutor’s office, the mayor’s office and the Police Department to stop domestic violence in the city.
“You like to think you’ve seen it all but we haven’t, because there’s always that person that throws something else in there,” said Locke.
Locke said most domestics are the combination of other problems.
“I don’t think there’s a handful of domestics that I’ve went on that alcohol or drugs wasn’t involved,” said Locke. “I think that was a big factor and the financial pressure that are involved that people are experiencing.”
“I think it’s a tremendous problem and I also think it’s the root of a lot of other problems like kids acting out at school,” said Locke.
Drugs lead to more problems and issues in school for kids. That’s why there are places like The Better Way to take women in and help them get back on their feet.
“Being here I found myself as far as me setting my goals for my daughters, holding my job, finding housing and maintaining my responsibilities as a mother in general,” said Reddick.
Most women stay for an average of about four weeks, Kimberly has been living there for about 45 days. She says over that time she’s found herself, and that’s what these organizations in Muncie are working toward.
“Really our purpose is to help people and to reach out to these victims,” said Locke. “Let them know that there is someone there to help and that there is someone there that wants to help.”
