MACON, Ga. — The Crisis Line & Safe House of Central Georgia staff answer phones not knowing what the person on the line is battling. The non-profit agency serves people experiencing family violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking victims and the children of victims.
"No one deserves to be abused. No one deserves to have these things happen to them, and it's important for people to have someone they can turn to," says Jamie Bormann, deputy director at the non-profit.
Bormann says their hotlines are open to anyone.
"Even if we're not the agency that can help them long term, we can connect them with the organizations that can," says Bormann.
November and December usher in the holidays, which also brings an increase in people in need for the non-profit.
"On average, we serve about 200 people a month throughout the year. In November and December of last year, we served 578 across all of our programs. On average, in 2021, we served about 187 people across all of our programs per month. November and December, we served about 500 people," says Bormann.
"That could be folks experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, and most of them are. We also serve other folks that may be contacting us for other needs," says Bormann.
According to womenagainstcrime.com, domestic abuse increases over the holidays for several reasons. Some include overall and financial stress from the holidays, abusers are more likely to use alcohol or drugs when they don't have to work, and abusers are more likely to be home alone with their victims.
It's essential to seek help anytime during the year. Crisis Line & Safe House of Central Georgia has resources on their website. Or you can always call 478-745-9292.