Celebration of Women in Norwich

We were joined in the Big Kat studios Thursday by April Conant, Victim Advocate for the Crime Victims Program at Catholic Charities of Chenango County and June Georgia, Community Educator for the program. They talked about the upcoming "Celebration of Women" to be held at the Artists' Palette on South Broad Street in Norwich. It is part of the recognition of Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.

April came with some startling figures for Chenango County. On average, police agencies in the county respond to 945 domestic disturbance calls a year, which constitutes over half of all the crimes reported each year.  In the last 5 and a half years, their domestic violence safe dwelling bed night totals for women and children have increased 168%!

So far in 2014, Crime Victims Program has opened 218 new cases involving domestic violence. From January to August of this year, they have received 1035 crisis calls.

To learn more or if you or someone you know needs help, call 334-8244, stop at their offices at 3 O'Hara Drive in Norwich and  listen to the entire interview with April and June by clicking below.  The "Celebration of Women" at the Artists' Palette is Thursday, October 16th from 6-8 PM.