Throughout the month of October, Kentucky officials have been raising awareness about domestic violence across the Commonwealth. Data shows that over 45% of women and 35% of men in Kentucky experience some type of physical violence or sexual assault in their lifetime.
Kentucky’s First Lady, Britainy Beshear, is teaming up with the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence to provide help to the many survivors of domestic violence in the state. One such way is through the Shop and Share Donation Drive in which people can buy groceries and choose to donate some of them with their local domestic violence shelter.
“This annual event provides food and essentials for domestic violence survivors and their families,” said Beshear. “Since the event was started in 2008 under another first lady Beshear, more than $5 million in goods and donations have been donated to help the lives of thousands of survivors.”
This year alone the Shop and Share program raised nearly $350,000 in monetary and other donations.
Additionally, lawmakers have taken action to ensure survivors of domestic violence receive the help they need. This includes legislation that protects the home addresses of survivors after they have escaped an abusive environment. The first lady said lawmakers will continue to advance efforts like these.
“This is progress we will build on because every single Kentuckian deserves to feel safe and to be safe in their own home. At a time where things can feel too divisive this is something everyone can agree on,” she said.
More information on resources for survivors of domestic abuse can be found on the coalition’s website at zerov.org.