Gesture of area hotels benefits us all

Area hotels are enthusiastically applauded for donating rooms for survivors of domestic violence. This generosity will help fill a glaring gap in the local domestic violence response network at a time when demands on those services are rapidly increasing.

The Gallatin Project, a local domestic violence victims’ advocacy coalition, had previously paid for the rooms with federal grant money. But the grant was not renewed this year, leaving advocates scrambling for alternatives.

A local shelter, Haven, provides safe housing for domestic violence victims. But when that facility is full, or not a good option for certain victims, hotel rooms are secured. Without the grant money, there would be no alternative. But when local law enforcement contacted hotels about the problem, some 20 of them stepped forward with pledges to donate one or more rooms per month.

Their willingness to help is critical – not only for victims, but for all of us. Domestic violence numbers among the most dangerous situations law enforcement officers face. It can be a lethal mix of substance abuse, firearms and emotion.

A Chronicle report last year found that 1,255 domestic violence victims sought help from Haven in 2015 – a 65 percent increase over the previous six years. From July to September of this year, 40 domestic violence survivors and their family members have needed hotel stays. That’s up from 10 in the same time period three years ago and none in 2010.

The trend is clear and disturbing. Haven and the Gallatin Project have been doing vital work in combating this trend and protecting its victims from further harm. As a community, we must all do our part to lift the stigma associated with this social ill. Only by talking openly about it and educating ourselves and others on recognizing risky situations and stepping in when needed will we stem this tide of violence.

Sincere gratitude is extended to all the participating hotels for stepping in after the federal funds dried up. The gesture represents the kind of community spirit needed to turn the tide on this growing threat.