Police agencies in St. Lawrence County responded to 2,870 domestic incidents last year in St. Lawrence County, according to state police who are hoping to educate the public a “wide spread problem” in the North Country and throughout the state.

As October has been deemed ‘Domestic Violence Awareness Month’ state police are highlighting the large number of calls they respond to each year.

On average state police say they receive 400,000 calls to help victims of domestic violence each year. In 2014, the New York State Police from Troop B investigated a total of 2,378 domestic incidents. Troop B includes St. Lawrence, Franklin, Hamilton, Essex and Clinton Counties.

Troopers say they responded 741 calls in St. Lawrence County alone. Other law enforcement agencies in St. Lawrence County say they responded to an additional 2,129 incidents.

Troopers say incidents range from verbal arguments between parties, to assaults, strangulations, damaging of property, threats of harm, and child endangerment.

The New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence defines domestic violence as a variety of behaviors or tactics that are used to control another person in an intimate relationship. It can include physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse, and is perpetrated by one person against their intimate partner.

Domestic violence can also be perpetrated by a member of the same family or household. Domestic violence does not discriminate based on race, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, religious affiliation, or social location, but rather is perpetrated by abusers from all social groups.

There are programs that offer services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, including counseling and emergency shelter for victims and their children. Information about those programs is available via New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence website: http://www.nyscadv.org, and the New York State Office of Victim Services.

There are also ways you can help victims of domestic violence throughout the year and spread the message that violence will not be accepted. You can donate a cell phone, make donations of clothing and toiletries to a shelter, or volunteer your time at domestic violence programs. See some suggestions at http://www.opdv.ny.gov/difference/donate_volunteer.htm

The State Police wishes to remind victims involved in a violent relationship to contact law enforcement or 911 immediately for assistance. The New York State Police have a Crime Victim Specialist assigned in each of its Troops. As part of the Crime Victims Specialists Program, the specialists work closely with both police and local crime victim service agencies to best meet the needs of victims. Some of the services provided include: crisis intervention, short-term counseling, safety planning, and criminal court procedure information. Specialists also assist victims with finding available services, and completing victim compensation paperwork. The Troop B Crime Victims Specialist is Molly Nichols. Mrs. Nichols can be contacted in person at Troop B Headquarters in Ray Brook, or by calling (518) 897-2000.