CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Charleston YWCA is extending its arms to those in the area that are or have been victims of domestic abuse.
YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program Executive Director Julie Britton says their shelters are being used.
“Our shelter is at capacity,” said Britton “We’ve served about the same number of folks which is about 1,800 throughout the whole year. About 1,500 of those are through the court system in Kanawha, Boone and Clay counties.”
“We’re not seeing a huge rise, but we’re not at all seeing any lessening,” she continued.
Britton spoke with MetroNews earlier in the week following a Sissonville murder last weekend. Jason Phillips, 46, allegedly shot and killed his wife, Joanna Phillips, 46, at a residence on Allens Fork road.
Court records show Jason Phillips had previously turned himself in October on a domestic battery warrant from a March incident. Phillips allegedly attacked his wife and struck her multiple times. He was free on personal recognize bond and ordered not to have any contact with his wife.
“It absolutely should have happened,” Britton said about the murder. “She should have had all of this attention from the court system when she was still alive.”
YWCA Charleston consistently gives victims in need of a new start the proper attention with their housing program. Britton says it makes a difference.
“We have about 60 families that we support after they’ve left for a short time, and we are seeing growth in that program,” she said. “Not only are people leaving and becoming whole, but they are moving into their own safe, violence-free housing after they leave. Good things are happening after folks leave.”
Outside of providing temporary shelter, YWCA Resolve offers free counseling for victims and Britton says survivors are accepting the help.
“Our counseling referrals, thank goodness, have gone up,” Britton said.
For more information about YWCA Resolve, visit here.