The Cocoon, Wood County’s only comprehensive domestic and sexual violence agency, is increasing awareness during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Nationally, more than 10 million adults experience domestic violence each year. One in four women and one in 10 men will experience some type of violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Locally, more than 700 survivors in Wood County reach out to The Cocoon for services each year. The number of survivors who reach out annually has dramatically increased over each of the past three years, from assisting 600 in all of 2019 to 662 as of Sept. 30, 2021. Not only have the number of instances of violence been on the rise, but the violence within those instances has escalated.
The Cocoon will be spearheading an awareness campaign about domestic violence throughout the month of October with posters in local businesses, window displays at 526 E. Wooster St. (offered by Greenbriar Realty) and H&R Block located at 200 S. Main S. in Bowling Green featuring silhouettes representing children who have witnessed and/or suffered abuse with messaging about how the abuse has affected them, as well as a display of artwork created by survivors at ACE Hardware, 136 S. Main St., Bowling Green.
And, the Wood County Clothesline Project, featuring T-shirts made by survivors or loved ones of survivors, will be on display at Bowling Green State University on Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. There is no cost to view the display.
The Cocoon offers 24/7 services every day of the year. An advocate can be reached by calling 419-373-1730 and selecting option #2. Anyone needing services as well as those who are concerned about loved ones are encouraged to call. Services are provided at no cost and are confidential.
To learn more, visit www.thecocoon.org or call 419-373-1730.
