State Representative Anne Gonzales (R-Westerville) hosted a press conference in the Statehouse Atrium to observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the statewide kickoff of Purple Light Nights®.

Rep. Gonzales was joined by representatives of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network and Jewish Family Services of Columbus, local activists, advocates, survivors, and lawmakers from the Ohio House and Senate in shedding light on this critical issue within Ohio’s communities. The event served to remember those who have died, celebrate those who have survived and connect those who are committed to reducing and ending domestic violence.

“I am very honored to help bring awareness to domestic violence, a problem that affects so many families throughout our great state,” Rep. Gonzales said.

During a single-day survey conducted in Ohio by the National Network to End Domestic Violence just over a year ago, it was revealed that more than 1,000 people sought refuge on that day in Ohio’s domestic violence shelters. During that same 24-hour period, 769 hotline calls were answered in Ohio, which averages to more than 32 hotline calls every hour.

Each October, civic leaders and the public unite to raise awareness about the toll that domestic violence takes and how local communities can help to end it. For advice and assistance in escaping or surviving domestic abuse, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or visit http://www.thehotline.org/.