FAIRFIELD — Awareness, money and education are needed to help keep facilities like the Ottumwa Crisis Center and Women’s Shelter viable.
That was message Thursday from Iowa First Lady Mari Culver who spoke on behalf of the facility at a benefit luncheon in Fairfield.
Culver said she wanted to publicly thank Cheryl Brown, executive director of the crisis center, donors and volunteers for their work in protecting Iowa women and their children.
Culver said communities in the surrounding area, like Fairfield, must offer its support to the nearby crisis center, since it serves a six-county area with a population of more than 88,000 people.
“It’s very important for all of these communities to support the crisis center in Ottumwa,” she said in an interview with the Courier after the event. “I think it’s particularly important given what has happened in the state this year.”
That means the severe weather, flooding and thousands of Iowans impacted by a rough and tumble summer.
Culver said that “additional stress” coupled with financial hardships and other factors often result in incidents of domestic violence.
She said there is a serious need for domestic violence services as well as mental health counseling and care.
Culver said while she hopes there is no longer a stigma associated with those women and children who seek safety from their abusers, it’s important to remind Iowans that domestic violence impact all kinds of families.
“Statistics show it impacts all socio-economic [sectors]; it’s not just a problem with lower-income households,” she said.
Thursday’s benefit luncheon, Culver said, will hopefully raise awareness of the critical services that are needed, especially when you look at the number of domestic violence facilities are few in the state.
She pointed out that animal shelters outnumber women’s crisis facilities in Iowa.
“There is a constant need for generous giving by our communities,” Culver said. “The crisis center in Ottumwa is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Jeff Hutton can be reached at (641) 683-5380 or via e-mail at jeff@ottumwacourier.com.
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Mari Culver
Culver touts Ottumwa crisis center
Iowa first lady says there is a serious need for domestic violence services and mental health care
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