Number of domestic violence and child abuse cases rise

Evansville, In. (WEHT) – Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate.

It affects people of all ages, all races, all genders, and all economic groups.

The Albion Fellows Bacon Centers’ Executive Director, Gina Gist says, “They say about one out of every four women and about one out of every seven men experience domestic violence at some point in their lifetime.”

The Albion Fellows Bacon Center is a shelter serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Executive Director, Gina Gist say they’re hearing of many more violent cases and more cases involving children.

Gist says, “Children who grew up in abusive homes, whether they’re being abused or not, are greatly affected by the violence they witnessed.”

Albion is full during the summer, seeing more children than adults.

Gist says most people focus on the adult, not thinking how a child is affected.

Gist adds, “It’s just heartbreaking that you think these kids growing up in these homes, witnessing this abuse all the time, wondering am I going to be hurt? Is my mom going to be hurt? Or is dad going to be hurt?”

Holly’s House also provides support for child and adult victims, emphasizing the growing need for resources.

Executive Director, Kristine Cordts says, “Over the last few years, we’ve seen a 270% increase in child abuse cases that have been reported and escalated to investigation at Holly’s House and last year, that number grew by 20%.”

Cordts adds that kids are impacted by domestic violence and how they perceive violence.

The impact can be long-lasting.

Cordts says, “Domestic violence for children definitely changes the way their brains think and we talk about the trauma and its long-term impact.”

Despite the recent cases of child abuse and domestic violence, Holly’s House says there’s a call to action for adults in the state of Indiana.

Cordts says, “It’s important, that you follow through with a child if a child is in your care, that they understand that they didn’t do anything wrong for something like this to happen to them.”

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office says it has recorded 347 domestic violence and child abuse cases since 2023, which is a 5.98% increase.

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