“When you’ve been abused, there’s a lot to be guarded about,” a domestic abuse survivor recounted. “You get used to protecting and defending your abuser it’s a really hard shift.”

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and many in the Jamestown area are attempting to remind their fellow community members that it is an issue that occurs in their own city.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute on average are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. Domestic violence is defined as the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault and or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner over another, according to the national coalition. This abuse is often perpetrated against women, however it does happen to men as well.

While many focus on violent aspects of domestic violence, the abuse can be emotional or psychological abuse such as isolating a victim from family and friends; embarrassing or shaming the victim; controlling all the finances; stalking the victim; preventing the victim from making their own decisions and more.

Unfortunately, the local area is not immune to this form of abuse.

In 2012, there were 3,023 domestic violence calls in Chautauqua County and 1,235 of those domestic incidents took place in Jamestown, according to Project Crossroads. Project Crossroads, a domestic violence education program, was created in 1996 with the intent to provide intervention through education for the prevention of domestic violence.

One domestic violence survivor who chose to remain anonymous said it is a difficult cycle to break.

“It becomes really hard to say, ‘It’s not my fault,'” she said. “(In my situation), it did take it getting physical. That for me was a clearly defined line.”

One of the most important factors in getting out of the situation and getting through the trauma was having a strong support system of friends and family, she said. She said talking with others can be painful about her experiences, but it is also helpful because others have come forward to express what they’ve gone through.

“We need to make it commonly known that it is a problem,” she said. “This is an everywhere problem.”

Domestic violence impacts people across socio-economic lines, across social barriers and racial divides. It impacts everyone in every facet of society, she said. Spreading awareness and education on the issue can be helpful to inform the community, she added.

In the same vein, Jamestown Community College students recently engaged in awareness related activities in the student union during the #ShineTheLight event. Students gathered to watch educational videos on domestic violence, take pledges to spread awareness and more.

Meghan Siperek, Campus Life Activities Board member, said the point is to spread awareness and encourage others to take a stand against domestic violence.

“We’re promoting that it’s only us to know more,” Siperek said. “We’re putting our hands up and saying we won’t participate in domestic violence.”

She said she has known people who have been involved in domestic violence situations and it breaks her heart.

“I know it tears me apart to see someone else being hurt,” Siperek said. “If I can help, I will.”

Alan Jones, student senator and Campus Life Activities Board member, said the different activities were meant to get students involved and educated.

“The whole point is to end domestic violence,” Jones said. “A lot of people don’t even know it’s happening.”

For more information on Project Crossroads, visit www.jamestownny.net, call 483-7718 or email projectcrossroads@jpdny.com.

A local 24-hour hotline is available for victims of domestic violence or those who aren’t sure but feel unsafe at 1-800-252-8748 or 661-3897.

For other resources and information find the Salvation Army Anew Center on Facebook. For more information on domestic violence and more resources, visit www.ncadv.org, and for anonymous, confidential help available around the clock, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224.