Paris, Tenn.–October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a time when advocates, survivors, and supporters unite to shed light on the pervasive issue of domestic violence. This year, WRAP (Wo’Men’s Resource and Rape Assistance Program) advocates, serving a 19-county area in West Tennessee, are rallying under the banner of “Wrapping West Tennessee in Support.”
The latest WRAP event will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 24, at the Henry County Courthouse.
Join Henry County Mayor John Ridgeway and Judge Vicki Snyder as they proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and encourage Henry County residents to support survivors and become part of the efforts to build safe, stable, nurturing relationships and families.
Survivors have been recognized at events at counties in the 19-county area this month.
Their goal is to ignite a collective conversation about domestic violence and galvanize the community to prevent it, address its harrowing impact, and make ending domestic violence a top priority.
Domestic violence is a more widespread concern than many realize, affecting one in four women and one in seven men during their lifetimes. According to the 2022 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Crime in Tennessee Report, a staggering 40% of all crimes against persons in West Tennessee involved some form of domestic or sexual violence, resulting in 4,000 reported cases to law enforcement. Tragically, eight lives were lost to domestic-related homicides in West Tennessee during this period.
While commonly associated with physical violence, domestic violence encompasses a spectrum of abuses, including verbal, emotional, and financial manipulation, destruction of property, isolation from loved ones, and various forms of harassment and intimidation.
In 2022, WRAP provided vital services to over 1,800 survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault across West Tennessee, delivering more than 18,000 direct services to aid survivors. This comprehensive support included nearly 2,000 nights of secure refuge for individuals and children in WRAP’s safe homes or emergency hotels. WRAP maintains a 24/7 crisis helpline at 800-273-8712, which received over 2,300 calls for assistance in 2022.
Mamie Hutcherson, Executive Director of WRAP, emphasized, “Domestic violence remains a hidden problem in our communities. It thrives in silence—silence from those enduring the abuse, silence from bystanders, and silence from perpetrators. This silence corrodes lives, forcing women, children, and men to bear the weight of shame. It stifles their voices and keeps them from seeking help. At its worst, it has proven fatal for families in West Tennessee.”
WRAP advocates across the region are collaborating with the counties they serve through various initiatives, including proclamations and special events.
WRAP’s mission is to prevent intimate partner violence, stop the transmission of violence to children, youth, and young adults, and build healthy relationships across the lifespan – from children to seniors – one relationship at a time. WRAP believes that we can truly develop safe, stable, nurturing relationships, families, and communities throughout 20 counties in West Tennessee.
Photo: Bethel University and the Wildcats recognized and honored survivors at Saturday at the football game last weekend, with McKenzie Mayor Ryan Griffin, Bethel President Walter Butler and Carroll County Mayor Joseph Butler.