Domestic violence focus of next Unity in the Community event in Greensburg

A Greensburg-based community group wants to help raise awareness about the pervasive problem of domestic violence.

Coinciding with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, “Break the Silence” is the title of an event hosted by Unity in the Community from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the YWCA, 424 N. Main St., Greensburg.

The free event will focus on the problem of domestic violence and other types of abuse while providing attendees information about local organizations that offer resources to help with these and other concerns, according to organizer Ronel Baccus.

“All members of the community are welcome to be a part of this event,” Baccus said.

Greensburg’s Blackburn Center is one of more than a dozen organizations expected to participate.

The center advocates for the rights of all to live free from domestic and sexual violence and other forms of violence. It operates a related hotline, at 1-888-832-2272, that allows callers to speak to a counselor.

Its other services for victims of violence include a shelter that can house up to nine adults along with children.

Those attending the event can bring items to donate for shelter residents. A list of needed items, which changes along with the occupants, can be viewed by visiting blackburncenter.org and clicking on the “Donate” heading.

“Any support we can get from the community really makes a difference in our clients’ lives,” said Renee Reitz, executive director of the Blackburn Center.

Domestic violence is more prevalent than most people realize, affecting one in four women and one in seven men at some point in their lifetimes, according to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Locally, Reitz said, the Blackburn Center provided domestic violence-related services to more than 1,800 people between July 2021 and this past June.

During the early stages of the covid-19 pandemic, when there was an emphasis on social distancing and staying at home, the number of calls to the center’s hotline decreased, Reitz said. She noted it likely was more difficult for victims to call when surrounded by members of their family.

“Now we’re starting to see the number of calls go back up,” she said.

“A lot of times, domestic violence is hidden and stays within the home,” Reitz said.

She said the center wants victims to “feel empowered to share their own stories.”

Food and entertainment will be available at Friday’s event. Unity in the Community also will accept donated toys to be distributed to underserved children at Christmas.

Through a series of previous gatherings, Unity in the Community has highlighted Black history and leadership and issues related to criminal justice and recovery from substance abuse.