Ways to seek help for families in crisis

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It happens far more often than you may think.

Physical abuse. Verbal abuse. Arguments between family members.

The National Coalition against Domestic Violence reports that on a typical day domestic violence hotlines receive approximately 21,000 calls.

That’s about 15 calls every minute.

It happened in Lowndes County and again last week in Lee County.

Family problems that turn deadly.

Domestic violence is devastating for a family. It can also be a powder keg for sheriff’s deputies.

Monroe County Interim Sheriff Curtis Knight said his department has specialized training to help diffuse the stress.

“Those are some of the most dangerous calls we actually go and leave again like you said there are emotions are high and it may involve children, spouses. The main to our concern is weapons. We have to be prepared for anything and often times it does end in violence,” said Knight.

Monroe County Chief Deputy Kevin Crook said officers must stay alert.

” It’s just a-lot for an officer to think about when he’s on that kind of scene,” said Crook. “Usually situations just continue to escalate like it doesn’t end without somebody changing, or somebody getting the counseling or help that they need. So the situation we had most recently it’s just a progressive situation that ended up in tragedy.”

Talking to someone about it can help.

Christian Changes Counseling and Recovery Center Julia Stephenson said victims usually show signs of toxic relationships.

“Watch for somebody who’s losing interest in relationships, friendships, things that they’ve enjoyed. And also physical signs of abuse such as bruising and other things on the body,” said Stephenson.

Stephenson said reaching out to a friend or family member in a challenging domestic situation must be handled carefully.

“Helping somebody is a domestic violence situation can be dangerous for everybody involved. It’s important not to ask somebody to just simply to leave, be just providing them support in doing that, ” said Stephenson.

If you need help, there are local shelters that work with families in crisis.

If you need help right now, call the National Domestic Violence hotline. That number is 1-800-799-SAFE. That’s 1-800-799-7233.