October signifies domestic violence awareness month

NORFOLK, Neb. -- There were over 15,000 domestic violence cases reported statewide last year, according to The Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.

“A lot of our survivors come into us basically with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” said Breanna Hember, a campus advocate for Bright Horizons.

October is domestic violence awareness month, Hember highlights the need for a deeper understanding of their services.

“A lot of people are generally familiar with what we do, but the in depth and the ins and outs of what we truly can do is where people kind of lose that understanding and where our resources are a lot more vast than people realize,” Hember said.

Domestic violence can occur in various living situations. 

“It can be roommates, it can be a parent, grandparent that you're living with. It can be pretty much anything,” Hember said.

While the organization provides essential support, Hember clarifies their role.

“We always say we're not licensed attorneys, we're not social workers or counselors; at our core, we provide all those things,” she said.

Hember also emphasizes the evolving nature of domestic violence.

“We know that domestic violence is always something that’s going to be here, and it’s something that is changing and is dynamic," Hember said. "But it’s not just something that happens in people’s homes, and there are even things that people can do.” 

Their outreach now includes a focus on bystander intervention.