LANCASTER, Pa. — Christine Gilfillan is no stranger to hearing the stories of domestic violence. Gilfillan is the director of Domestic Violence Services in Lancaster County, a division with Community Action Partnership of Lancaster.
Her organization provides counseling, legal, and emergency shelter services to more than 1,800 survivors every year.
“Whether it’s victims calling the hotline [or] coming into the shelter, over 1,300 victims use our legal services every year," said Gilfillan. "We’re definitely hearing those stories every day and dealing with that aftermath every day.”
On Saturday, Gilfillan helped kick off the Community Action Partnership’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month. She says the campaign allows Community Action Partnership to spread the word on local domestic violence services.
"We have a responsibility to let folks know in the community, especially when we have an issue this prevalent," said Gilfillan. "It has a serious impact that can go on for a long period of time if it's not addressed."
On top of raising awareness, Gilfillan says more community support is needed to help provide services for victims of domestic violence.
“We want people to feel connected to the issue to the point where they’ll be inspired to do something about it," said Gilfillan. "That’s not just donating money or resources, it might be volunteering or speaking out about it.”
Gilfillan adds that domestic violence is a public health issue and that there is a responsibility to try and tackle the problem.
“We’re better as a society if we address these issues and help people find the resources that they need," said Gilfillan.
Anyone who needs domestic violence services can go to the Community Action Partnership of Lancaster's website, or can reach out to the YCWA of Lancaster.