Melanie Mirowitz

Bethany House of Northern VA

6121 Lincolnia Rd., Ste. 303
Alexandria, VA 22312
For Immediate Release

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY INVITES THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN IN

OBSERVATION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
Students plan October events in partnership with local shelter, Bethany House

Washington, D.C., September 26, 2010 — Did you know that one of four Virginia women will
at some point in their lives experience spousal or intimate partner violence? With over
10,000 police reports stemming from domestic violence in 2008 alone, Fairfax County
accounts for nearly 20% of all domestic violence incidents throughout all of Virginia.

Bethany House of Northern Virginia has partnered with American University to raise
awareness and to educate the community through a series of events during Domestic
Violence Awareness Month.

The events will include a staff linen drive benefiting victims of domestic violence at Bethany
House, an October 23rd volleyball game to raise awareness, numerous fundraisers on
campus throughout the month, and a closing panel discussion on October 28th. The
university invites the community to join in the educational events and help put an end to the
cycle of abuse.

“The human tragedy of domestic violence presents a compelling need to serve the most
vulnerable residents of Northern Virginia communities,” said Bethany House Executive
Director, Catherine Hassinger.

Bethany House of Northern Virginia includes two emergency shelters and one independent
living shelter, helping women and children regain their dignity through job and life-skills
training. Their combined services represent 50% of the total number of beds and support
services available specifically for victims of domestic violence in Fairfax County.

“I came to you as a victim of domestic violence, I leave here as a new woman. I’m no longer
just another abused woman with kids. I’m now a confident, strong, and healthy woman who
is raising her kids without violence,” said an anonymous victim of domestic violence who
stayed at Bethany House.

To learn more about Bethany House of Northern Virginia visit their website www.bhnv.org
or in a domestic violence emergency, call the help line (703) 658-9500.

Bethany House of Northern Virginia, Inc. is a non-profit, faith-based organization whose

mission is to end the cycle of abuse one family at a time. Founded in 1979 by Doris Ward,
Bethany House operates 2 emergency shelters and 1 independent living shelter in
Alexandria, VA. Bethany House separates itself from other shelters through a four to six
month temporary housing program including life-skills and job training, and a two-year after-
care program, enabling women and children to successfully reestablish into the community.
For more information visit www.bhnv.org.
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