Our Dallas readers may be aware that October is Domestic Violence Prevention Month across the United States. The goal of the campaign is to educate the public about domestic abuse, spread awareness of victims' rights and available services, and offer prevention training education.

As part of the campaign, Crime Stoppers is working with Verizon Wireless and HopeLine in program called "Catch a Culprit." As part of that program, each week during October will feature a different fugitive offender with an open warrant for arrest, and the public will be called upon to help locate the offender. The groups will also be holding a drive for used cell phones, which will be refurbished for the use of domestic violence victims.

Sources said that, only a week into the month's awareness campaign, more abuse is already being reported and shelters are seeing increased traffic.

According to the Texas Council on Family Violence, 74 percent of all Texans have experience, at some point, some form of domestic abuse, either as a victim or a witness. Roughly 47 percent of Texans report having experienced physical abuse, verbal abuse, or isolation from loved ones as a result of domestic violence. And around 31 percent of Texans have experienced a severe form of domestic abuse, either sexual or physical.

Domestic violence awareness during the month of October has been observed since 1987. Various activities will take place nationally in observance of the campaign. More information about domestic violence awareness can be found at the Domestic Violence Awareness Project website.

Source: yourhoustonnews.com, "Living Safe: Awareness, justice are focus of Domestic Violence Prevention Month," Katherine Cabaniss, Oct 2011.