The Emerge! Center Against Domestic Violence is spreading domestic violence awareness on Thursday by wearing purple to break the silence.
In 2019, Emerge! said it has helped about 6,000 people out of an abusive situation. That's a 34% increase of people in the last five years.
For program manager Daniela Muñoz-Alvarez, she's been inspired to work at Emerge! for the past nine years because she wants to teach people that it doesn't have to be this way.
"It seems so simple, but it means the world for any individual to feel heard and cared about," Muñoz-Alvarez said.
Muñoz-Alvarez said she is in charge of the hot line services and housing program. In 2019, Emerge! said they've received 5,374 calls from victims seeking help.
"Somebody might choose to start there journey with us through our hot line services and telling us maybe for the first time, taking back the veil to really show us what's happening behind there closed doors," Muñoz-Alvarez said.
The most common response through the hot line is people not realizing the resources available to help them, Muñoz-Alvarez said.
"It takes everyone of us to say this isn't okay," Muñoz-Alvarez said. "It takes everyone of us to have the responsibility that when somebody reaches out to them that they are letting them know this is not there fault, and that they are not alone and that there are some many different options available to them whenever there ready."
If you or someone you know needs help in a domestic violence relationship, reach out to Emerge's hot line number at 888-428-0101.
