GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Authorities and advocates are sounding an alarm about an increase in domestic violence cases: Law enforcement said it affects more people in Kent County than any other type of serious crime.
Rachel VerWys is CEO of Safe Haven Ministries, a domestic abuse advocacy and support center in Grand Rapids providing a crisis hotline, crisis shelter and on-site advocacy for free. She said the number of domestic violence survivors contacting her Grand Rapids organization is growing alarmingly fast. Safe Haven saw a 25% increase in crisis contacts last year, or about 1,000 more people.