For Immediate Release
October 3, 2007

Contact:    Rick Liebel
                Public Relations and Development Director
                814 455-1774 Ext. 234
                814 881-6530 cell

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

All over the nation men, women, and children will participate in activities and events to raise the national conscience about domestic violence. People from all walks of life, all economic, cultural and social backgrounds can become a victim of domestic violence, sadly children are often the indirect victim. Just witnessing violence impacts a child's life, especially if it takes place in the home, a place where children should feel safe. If children have been exposed to domestic violence, it increases their chances to be either a batterer or victim.

During the month of August, SafeNet served:

Hotline calls - 309
Victims  Women - 337    Men - 15    Children - 78
Professional training provided by SafeNet - 4 training sessions to 47 individuals
Counseling hours - Adults 1,064     Children - 230 hours
And these numbers continue to rise each month!

As part of SafeNet's mission to raise awareness of the national and regional, issue several events have been planned:

October 1-31 - The windows of Boston Store Place will be filled with information concerning Domestic Violence.

October 1-31 - A banner across State Street will hang during the entire month.

October 6 and 7 - Volunteers and Staff will be at the Millcreek Mall Community Booth to answer any questions concerning Domestic Violence.

October 13 - Her Times Run in partnership with the Erie Runners Club and the Times Publishing Company will take place at Presque Isle State Park, beginning at 9:00 am. Registration will be located at the Rotary Pavilion. Proceeds will benefit SafeNet.

October 28th - The Ophelia Project and SafeNet present the 1007 Road Rally-Registration starts at 11:00 a.m. at the Oasis Pub. Teams of four adults are recommended. $15.00 per person. Space is limited.

Until October 15 - As part of the grand opening celebration, Verizon Wireless Store at 2048 Edinboro Road, across from the Millcreek Mall, SafeNet is the benefactor of a special month-long phone drive to collect no-longer-used wireless handsets and accessories for the company's award-winning HopeLine® program. For every handset collected at the Erie store between September 15 and October 15, Verizon Wireless will contribute $5 to SafeNet.

November 1st - SafeNet's Medical Conference, Intimate Partner Violence, A Child's Journey, sponsored by Hamot Medical Center, ST. Vincent's Health Systems, Mercyhurst College, Western Psychitic Institute and Clinic. The conference will take place at the Ambassador Conference Center on Peach Street. This conference is normally a sell-out. If you haven't made your reservations, please do so by calling 814-455-1774, and asking for our Medical Services Dept.

SafeNet is not a homeless shelter, but a safe and confidential place specifically for men, women and children who are victims of domestic violence.  From every city and township in the area, victims come to SafeNet seeking support, safety and shelter from physical abuse and threats of violence occurring at home.  After more than 30 years of providing shelter and many other supportive services, SafeNet knows first-hand that there is hope and there is help. SafeNet is Pennsylvania's oldest continuous running domestic violence shelter.

For interviews with SafeNet's Executive Director or any staff member of SafeNet, contact Rick Liebel, Public Relations and Development Director at 455-1774 extension 234 or email at rliebel@safeneterie.org.