As Major holidays Approach, Domestic Violence Escalates

We're approaching the biggest holiday season of the year. The period between Thanksgiving and New Year's is also the peak season for domestic violence. Many people simply don't want to know about it. Domestic violence Is happening in your hometown. There's probably at least one woman in your neighborhood who's being brutalized by a man she's supposed to be able to trust. Her very life is likely in danger. The Advertiser reports, Louisiana ranks 4th worst in the U.S. for the percentage of women murdered by men. FBI statistics indicate 51% of the women murdered in the Bayou State in 2012 were killed by a husband, ex husband, past or present boyfriend. If you see signs someone you know is being abused, don't ignore them. If you're a victim, your abuser wants you to believe no one will help. That's not true. help IS available. Call the domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-779-SAFE (7233). I have personal friends who are domestic violence survivors. Their stories are chilling. A few years ago, one of my neighbors wasn't one of the lucky ones. Her ex boyfriend shot her in the head. She was 22 years old.