Seventy-five deaths due to domestic violence occurred in Indiana during the past year, according to Safe Passage executive director Debra Guzman. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, she wants citizens to realize it’s definitely a problem.

“Surprisingly, 32 of (the deaths) ... were men,” she reported Sept. 30, noting in some cases, victims killed their perpetrators. “We're not ever thinking it's only the man against the woman.” After listening to clients of the five-county domestic violence shelter located in Batesville, she knows sometimes women “probably also have added to the violence in the household.”

“Some of the 75 who died were children,” noted client services coordinator Lori Wilson. There are so many scenarios: A mother killed a child. A man killed his girlfriend, then committed suicide.

Safe Passage leaders have two goals this month, to raise awareness and express gratitude. “We will be presenting flowers during the month to people within the communities who have made a difference in our fight to end domestic violence,” Wilson said.

Batesville High School football fans were reminded about the issue last Friday when 75 people (symbolizing the 75 deaths) held candles during a halftime vigil.

The Dearborn Courthouse lawn is covered with 75 wooden purple ribbons representing the fatalities. The ribbons will appear on the Memorial Building lawn before the fifth annual No Excuse for Abuse 5K Run/Walk through Batesville Saturday, Oct. 25. It starts at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot behind the building at 132 S. Main St.

Proceeds from the Ripley County Prosecutor’s Office-sponsored event benefit Safe Passage. The entry fee is $10 by Oct. 15 or $12 after that. Registration forms are available at The Herald-Tribune and Southeastern Indiana YMCA.

Displays at courthouses in Ripley, Franklin, Dearborn, Ohio and Switzerland counties will make viewers stop and think. “I Got Flowers” in Dearborn County is “kind of a tearjerker” because a woman received a bouquet – at her funeral.

For the first time, men can sign petitions against domestic violence in all five courthouses. Guzman pointed out it gives men a chance to say, “‘It's not OK for men to be violent toward women and children and it needs to stop’ ... It's unfortunate that 97 percent of the abuse that happens in a home happens at the hands of a man.”

Local men also will get a chance to sign petitions at churches in the Batesville Area Ministerial Association.

Ohio County’s display, called “Ringside Seat,” has a high chair next to what looks like a boxing ring full of abusive scenes. The message: “Children should not be watching this happening,” Wilson said.

The Franklin County display consists of 75 butterflies hanging on trees outside the courthouse.

“People are calling” to request presentations about domestic violence, Guzman said. Staffers will educate attendees at the Laurel public library Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (the library provides lunch) and the director talks to Milan Lions Oct. 16. Some church visits are scheduled. “What we'd like to increase are the employers” because domestic violence can lead to absenteeism and poor work quality because of preoccupation. Safe Passage employees can discuss signs and symptoms or help business owners develop planned responses to workplace violence.

Safe Passage officials are focusing on nonresidential clients rather than residential, a shift from past practices. “We do eight times the business in the communities than we do here,” according to the director. “Now our county advocates are able to do remote access to our software so they are more field based.” While those in dire need still can stay at the facility, more individuals and families are receiving help closer to home, perhaps staying with relatives or at other locations. Keeping the same schools and jobs is less disruptive.

To stop passing on the tradition of violence within families, children's advocate Angela Krieger will present a program called “True Love Starts Somewhere” to area high school students mostly around Valentine’s Day. “What we're trying to do is let them know what healthy relationships look like,” Guzman said. Using three curriculums, Krieger also counsels children of all ages who come to weekly support groups with their parents in each county.

Persons who need help can call Safe Passage 24/7 at 933-1990 or toll-free 877-733-1990. Advocates also are available at nearby county courthouses: Ripley, the third Friday of each month, 9 to 11 a.m.; Franklin and Dearborn, Thursdays, noon to 2 p.m.

To raise dollars for operating expenses, “something exciting is coming up in November,” Guzman reported. “We are having our first annual Fall Fest at Walhill Farm” near Batesville. The board is organizing the Nov. 15 evening party.

Debbie Blank can be contacted at debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com. To comment on stories, visit batesvilleheraldtribune.com.