PA: 2,600 domestic violence cases daily

HARRISBURG — In one 24-hour period last year, when the state budget impasse was creating tremendous cash flow problems for local domestic violence programs that depend on state funding, Pennsylvania’s network of programs still managed to provide services to 2,597 domestic violence victims and their children. A 24-hour census of all 61 domestic violence programs across the Commonwealth, released today, revealed that on Sept. 15, 2009: 1,190 victims were safely sheltered; 1,407 victims benefited from other services, including counseling, legal advocacy and children’s support groups; 950 hotline calls were answered; 1,473 people were trained in domestic violence intervention and prevention and 365 requests for services, including 247 requests for housing to escape an abuser, were unmet due to a critical shortage of funds and staff. The census is conducted in all 50 states by the National Network To End Domestic Violence.. For more, visit www.nnedv.org/census .