Fredericksburg-area groups working to prevent violence have been busier than ever this year.
Most have seen a rise in reports from victims. That doesn't necessarily mean an increase in incidents, but could be because more people are seeking help.
Often, victims or family members don't know where to turn for assistance, said Julie Rivnak, director of Rappahannock Area Council for Children and Parents.
Her group holds weekly parenting workshops. Every year, at an annual family day, the agency puts out fliers and Rivnak hears people say, "I didn't know this existed."
That's the reason Rivnak and the other agencies in the Coalition for a Community Without Violence hold Family Fun Day set for Sunday.
They want people to know there are victim-witness programs in the area Commonwealth Attorneys' offices, a forensic nurse program at Mary Washington Hospital and a program for teen parents, among others.
All have seen an increase in demand this past year.
Gail Perkins, coordinator of sexual assault nurse examinations at the hospital, said there was no way to know why more people were coming in for rape exams. It could be because of population increase, because of more rapes or because events like Family Fun Day reach their goal of raising awareness, she said.
Last year the area experienced an increase in child abuse reports while the state had a slight decrease:
CAROLINE:
2006: 85
2007: 83
FREDERICKSBURG
2006: 124
2007: 138
KING GEORGE:
2006: 64
2007: 76
SPOTSYLVANIA:
2006: 424
2007: 411
STAFFORD:
2006: 264
2007: 336
VIRGINIA:
2006: 31,653
2007: 30,554
Child Protective Services hot lines received 82,400 calls in Virginia in fiscal year 2007. CPS received reports that 46,511 were possible victims of abuse or neglect.
--Virginia Department of Social Services
RAPE EXAMS
At Mary Washington Hospital, sexual assault nurse examiners saw an increase in rape exams so far this year over the same period last year:
JANUARY TO APRIL 21, 2007: 30 exams
JANUARY TO APRIL 21, 2008: 38 exams
JANUARY 2007: 4 adult exams, 7 pediatric exams
JANUARY 2008: 6 adult exams, 3 pediatric exams
FEBRUARY 2007: 1 adult exam, 6 pediatric exams
FEBRUARY 2008: 4 adult exams, 9 pediatric exams
MARCH 2007: 4 adult exams, 6 pediatric exams
MARCH 2008: 2 adult exams, 6 pediatric exams
APRIL 2007 (TO APRIL 21): 1 adult exam 1 pediatric exam
APRIL 2008 (TO APRIL 21): 4 adult exams, 4 pediatric exams
--Gail Perkins, SANE coordinator, Mary Washington Hospital
HOME ISSUES
The Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence served more people last year through a program serving Hispanic residents and its support groups. Other core services include a hotline and shelter.
2006: 1,932 men, women and children served
2007: 2,360 men, women and children served
--Kathy Anderson, RCDV director
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Family Fun Day
WHEN: April 27, noon to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Duff McDuff Park, off State Route 3 in Stafford County
HOW: Free and open to the public
WHY: To promote family togetherness and to provide information on agencies that help area families
DETAILS: Free lunch and children's activities offered
INFO: Call the Rappahannock Area Council on Children and Parents at 540/785-6217.
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