THOMASVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS MEDIA RELEASE

CASE REPORT NUMBER: 2013-003701

Check one: Date/Time:

X Original 10/8/2013

Update

Investigation

Wanted

Release Prepared By: Lt. Kimberly Sebastian No / Distributed by: S. Crumbley

Distributed:

X Yes

Type of Incident:

Domestic Violence -- Awareness 10/8/2013

Date and Time of Incident: Location:

With the recent domestic-related incident on Leach Avenue, the Thomasville Police Department wants to educate the public about domestic violence. We want to remind people who find themselves in an abusive relationship that YOU DO have a way out, CAN find help, CAN turn to local agencies such as Thomasville, Lexington, Denton Police Departments, Davidson County Sheriffs Office and Family Services of Davidson County for information and assistance. According to the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, some of the signs to look for in a battering personality are: Verbal Abuse Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde Personality Past Battering Threats of Violence Domestic violence is defined when two people get into an intimate relationship and one person uses a pattern of coercion and control against the other person during the relationship and/or after the relationship has terminated. In 2013, Thomasville Police Officers have answered 785 domestic violence calls. Unemployment, stress, and substance abuse are some of the factors which lead to an increase in domestic related issues.

Fear is a prime reason given by most victims for not leaving the abuser. Statistics show that a woman will try to leave an abusive relationship seven times before she is able to escape. There are resources which provide help such as: www.womenslaw.org, which provides legal information and support to victims of domestic violence www.nccadv.org, which is there to empower communities to prevent and eliminate domestic violence For more information or help on domestic violence please call Thomasville Police at 475-4260, 911 or Family Service of Davidson County at 243-1934 (crisis line) or 249-0237.

Police Department Contact(s) Name: Name: Lt. Kimberly Sebastian Phone: Phone: 336-475-4265

Crime Stoppers, at 336-476-8477, pays cash rewards for information that leads to arrests, seizures, or the solutions to serious unsolved crimes. Callers remain anonymous and receive rewards up to $1,000.