The Northwoods Battered Women’s Shelter says they help anywhere from 700 to 800 people a year with problems related to domestic violence. But they add that they turn away just as many as they help.

With domestic violence being such a prevalent issue in Minnesota, advocates from all around the state took time to bring awareness with their annual Action Day. In Bemidji, community leaders gathered at city hall to talk about domestic violence issues that face our area. Organizers say bringing awareness is their main goal.

Erin Schneider, Northwoods Battered Women’s Shelter Community Outreach and criminal justice advocate, says, “We decided to have hub locations so to be able to bring it and put it back in the communities where the domestic violence is actually affecting people, and so that we can get more community involvement because really that’s where it starts, when we try and end domestic violence is getting the community involved and getting the community awareness out there.”

The Bemidji Action Day rally also took the time to honor the victims who lost their lives to domestic violence. At the end of the rally, attendees were asked to sign a postcard for elected officials that advocate for laws that would protect victims. They were also encouraged to get involved in other ways.

“Just coming and volunteering, talking about it. I think one of the biggest things that can help in prevention is having that visibility that know that the community is not – we’re taking a stand against domestic violence and that we do not, that it’s frowned upon for people to commit domestic violence. I think that can have a big impact.”

Action Day is always held at the end of March. Everyone is welcome to attend.

By — Shirelle Moore