By Chantal Pierre, MSW and Legal Advocate in the Counseling & Resource Center at HCWC
[dropcap]F[/dropcap]requently we hear of news stories focusing on how poverty, unemployment and substance abuse are devastating families and communities in rural areas. But as the number of domestic violence victims and services provided for families affected by domestic violence increase, rural communities struggle to find the resources to assist victims and strengthen their communities.
Last year, the HCWC served 312 victims of abuse in Caldwell County alone, of which 148 were children seen at our Child Advocacy Center. Violence and abuse are critical issues in both urban and rural communities throughout the United States. However, effects in rural communities are often worsened because of the limited access to resources for victims.
