Calling for Help - WCAX

Burlington, Vermont - February 21, 2007

The agency that helps victims of domestic violence in Burlington says demand for its services is higher than it has ever been before. Women Helping Battered Women says it has served twice as many women in the last six months, as it had the entire year before.

Organizers think the rise is due to an increase in awareness of the help available, rather than an increase in domestic violence itself. But the added demand means pressure on the center-- it kicked off its biggest fundraiser of the year Wednesday night.

"We have unfortunately had some high-profile, tragic events in the county and the state and that's created a lot of media awareness. The media has been fantastic about getting hotline numbers out there, doing more in-depth stories, and that has had a positive effect in letting the community know they can reach out, they're not alone, there is help. So I think it's actually a positive thing," says Corrie Martin of Women Helping Battered Women.

The phone-a-thon aims to raise $10,000 by calling past supporters over the next two days. The money will be used for running the shelter, and providing legal services to women in need.

Kate Duffy - Channel 3 News