The growing number of domestic violence cases in Sampson County has raised concerns from local leaders and advocates who are continually looking for solutions to the problem.

“From July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009, we have seen a 26 percent increase (2,157 victims) in our clients at U Care,” said Pam Gonzalez, executive director of Sampson’s domestic violence shelter. “Seven hundred and fifty-two of them were directly from domestic violence. That means there were 1,177 children impacted because of that abuse.”

Officials with Sampson Community College and U Care recently hosted a workshop to discuss the issues of domestic violence in the county. The meeting was also a way to remind members of the community that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

During the informational meeting, Gonzalez also pointed out that all the victims were not women. In fact, she aid, 27 men also sought help from domestic violence abuse last year.

Exactly why the list of victims seeking help is on the rise continues to bring in more questions than answers, but there are some statistics that may shed light on the issue.

“Because of the rural area that we are in and the difficulty in securing jobs, it has been tough on everyone, but as you can see, the list of victims continue to rise,” Gonzalez said. “That shows in our 26 percent increase, and that is just one of the reasons why we feel we have seen so much.”

Along with unemployment, changes in the economy, living conditions, etc., all contribute to the problem, Gonzalez emphasized.

Since 1997, U Care, Inc. has grown into a comprehensive violence intervention program for the victims, the abusers, and their families.

The shelter currently houses domestic violence victims and their families, but the agency also has comprehensive programs such as a court-mandated batterer’s program, a displaced homemakers program, court advocacy, anger management, rape and sexual assault interventions, and other programs all focused on assisting those people who are currently in, or who have been in, an abusive relationship.

Gonzalez presented a background list of the 2,157 victims U Care has helped over the last year. “Thirty-nine percent of our victims were caucasian; 31 percent were African-American; 30 percent were Latino; and just one percent was American Indian, Asian or multi-racial,” she noted. “We have approximately 7,000 registered Latinos in Sampson County, but there are more like 30,000 who live and work here. Thirty percent of that 30,000 is a very large number of families dealing with abuse. That is just one example to give you an idea of the scope of the abuse ...”

Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said the meeting was beneficial to spread the awareness of domestic violence.

“Without question (U Care) is a good program,” he said Tuesday. “I was really impressed with all of the agencies that were at the meeting. We usually have a monthly meeting, but the workshop was a good one so that everyone is on the same page with what is going on in the county, especially this month.”

Thornton said dealing with domestic violence issues is part of the daily routine at his office.

“We get a ton of calls every day — a ton of calls,” he said. “Every day and every night ...”

At the meeting, Gonzalez reiterated that Sampson County stands as one of the best in the state in dealing with domestic violence cases.

“That is because we have a shelter here and because we have a Domestic Violence Unit at the sheriff’s office that is willing to work together with us,” she told the group. “That is why it all works to help the victims — it is a successful program.”

Thornton agrees.

“All of it helps the county and the people in it,” he said. “The program is successful; that is why it works and people want to come back to it. Everyone involved does what it takes to make things better for that victim, to help them out. It has shown with proven results — it works because everyone works together for that victim.”

Thornton said when he ran for sheriff back in 2002, domestic violence was one of his three platforms. “I knew when I saw there were 8-9 domestic homicides within one 16-18 month period that it was a serious problem here. Because of the efforts of U Care and the two employees at our Domestic Violence Unit here, those numbers have dwindled.”

Part of that, the sheriff said, is getting community involvement that will help other victims who may be afraid to speak out against their attacker.

“That is why it is great that U Care is trying to make people aware of domestic violence this month — but it really should be every day,” he said. “This is something that goes across all lines — economic, color, gender — it doesn’t matter. This affects everyone in some way. U Care is a good program and we are very fortunate to have it in this county. The interesting thing is that most of the calls (reporting domestic violence) are generated from children who see it every day; that is really sad. The general public really needs to get involved with it, too. If they see something suspicious with their neighbors or friends, they need to report it. A lot of people don’t really want to get involved or think that it is none of their business, which is understandable, but you really don’t know what situation that person is in — it could literally mean the difference between life or death.”

Before the meeting ended, Gonzalez noted that the 13th annual Domestic Violence Vigil will be held at Sampson Community College on Oct. 26 at 6 p.m.

For more information about getting help call the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-592-4141 or the U Care hotline at 910-596-0931.

U Care, Inc. is funded by state and federal funding, as well as local resources. The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Unit is funded by a state grant that was received back in 2004.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.